For many, the flowers of the four seasons are a perennial source of beauty and joy. In Japan, seasonal blooms have long captured the imaginations of poets and artists, becoming a prominent motif in art and verse. In this show, we present 45 of these floral masterpieces produced from the eleventh century to today in the genres of painting, calligraphy, and decorative arts. With spring in the air, this exhibition celebrates Japan’s rich history of floral artistry, inviting visitors to explore diverse expressions of seasonal blooms by artists through the ages.
National Flowers of Japan
Ikegami Shuho
Taisho era, 1924
(On view: April 8–May 6)
This exhibition showcases 45 selected works of painting, calligraphy, and decorative arts featuring floral themes, all passed down by the Imperial Household.
Highlights include four scroll paintings from the spectacular series Colorful Realm of Living Beings (National Treasure) by Ito Jakuchu (1716–1800).
*Two painting are on view at a time: "Peach Blossoms and Small Birds" and "Peonies and Small Birds" (First Rotation); "Plum Blossoms and Small Birds" and "Roses and a Small Bird" (Second Rotation).
We hope visitors enjoy the floral masterpieces inside the museum, while strolling the Imperial Palace's East Gardens on a pleasant spring day.
Colorful Realm of Living Beings (National Treasure)
Ito Jakuchu, Edo period (18th century)
[On view: March 11–April 6]
"Peach Blossoms and Small Birds"
"Peonies and Small Birds"
[On view: April 8–May 6]
"Plum Blossoms and Small Birds"
"Roses and a Small Bird"
Poppies
Tsuchida Bakusen
Showa era, 1929
(On view: April 8–May 6)
Vase with Birds and Flowers of the Four Seasons
Namikawa Yasuyuki
Meiji era, 1899
(On view: March 11–May 6)
Collection of Poems by Tsutsumi Chunagon (One of the "Private Anthologies of Famous Poets") (Detail)
Attributed to Ki no Tsurayuki
Heian period, 11th century
(On view: March 11–April 6)
Cabinet with Flowering Plants of Spring
Arai Hanjuro, Kawanobe Itcho, and others
Meiji era, 1881
(On view: March 11–April 6)
Poem by Du Fu in Cursive Script
Nukina Kaioku (Suo)
Edo period, 1858
(On view: March 11–April 6)
Long-Sleeved Kimono (Furisode) with Floral Roundels
Taisho era, early 20th century
(On view: April 8–May 6)
Confectionary Bowl with Cherry Blossoms
Kurokawa Eisho
Meiji era, 1893
(On view: March 11–May 6)
Chrysanthemums
Circa 1910
(On view: March 11–May 6)
*All works included in this exhibition are housed in the Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan.
Exhibition
Exhibition Dates
Tuesday, March 11–Tuesday, May 6, 2025
First Rotation: March 11–April 6
Second Rotation: April 8–May 6
Closed
Mondays
*Exception: The Museum opens on Monday, May 5.
*Subject to change.
Hours
Admissions
Adults: \ 1,000 University students: \ 500
*Free admission for high school students, visitors under 18, and visitors aged 70 years or more.
*Visitors with disabilities, along with one assistant, will be admitted for free without a booking.
Please show valid ID or documentation.
Advance online booking is recommended.
- Pre-booked ticket holders are given priority entry to maintain a better viewing environment.
- Tickets are also sold at the Museum on the day of the visit. This does not guarantee walk-in tickets at the time of your visit as places are subject to availability.
- If the number of available tickets becomes less than thirty, it will be indicated on the ticket sales website. Kindly note that we are not able to answer inquiries over the telephone.
* Visitors with disabilities (along with one assistant) will be admitted for free without reservation.
Number of objects
in the exhibition
45 works
*All housed in The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan.
Organizer
The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan
Venue
The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan
1-8 Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-0001 (Inside the Imperial Palace East Gardens)
Website
[Museum website]
https://shozokan.nich.go.jp/en/
Social media
[Instagram]
https://www.instagram.com/shozokan_pr/
Official account @shozokan_pr
Tel.
+81 (0)50-5541-8600 (NTT Hello Dial Service)
Press Inquiries
Public Relations Office (within Kyodo PR) of The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan
Contact: Ms. Mitsui
10th Floor, Ginza Shochiku Square, 1-13-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045
Tel: +81 (0)3-6264-2382
E-mail：shozokan-pr@kyodo-pr.co.jp
* Due to construction to expand the facilities, the Museum will be temporarily closed after this exhibition.
A full reopening is planned for autumn 2026.
Multi-Language Gallery Talks
Gallery talks in English, Chinese (Mandarin), and Korean are scheduled as below. Each talk will focus on a few selected works in this exhibition. Anyone is welcome to attend.
Tue. March 18, 2025 from 3:35 pm (approx. 20 minutes) [in Chinese (Mandarin)]
Wed. March 19, 2025 from 3:35 pm (approx. 20 minutes) [in English]
Tue. April 15, 2025 from 3:35 pm (approx. 20 minutes) [in Korean]
Wed. April 16, 2025 from 3:35 pm (approx. 20 minutes) [in English]
Fri. April 18, 2025 from 6:35 pm (approx. 20 minutes) [in English] (*late opening hours)
* Talks may be subject to cancellation or change. For the latest information, please visit the Museum website.
* No registration or additional fee is required. However, admission tickets to the exhibition are needed to attend the event.
* We highly recommend booking admission tickets online in advance. Tickets are also sold at the museum on the day of the visit, yet this does not guarantee walk-in tickets at the time of your visit. Please note that places are subject to availability and pre-booked ticket holders are given priority entry.
The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan
1-8 Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-0001 (in the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace)
Subway Lines: 5-minute walk from Otemachi Station
(Exit C13a)
JR Lines: 15-minute walk from Tokyo Station
(Marunouchi North Exit)
◎Hirakawa-mon Gate >>>
Subway Tozai Line: 10-minute walk from Takebashi Station
(Exit 1a)
◎ Kitahanebashi-mon Gate >>>
Subway Tozai Line: 15-minute walk from Takebashi Station
(Exit 1a)
*Hirakawa-mon Gate and Kitahanebashi-mon Gate are closed on Fridays and when the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace are closed.
In 1989, His Majesty the Emperor Emeritus and His mother Empress Kojun gifted a substantial collection of art to the nation of Japan that had previously been passed down by the Imperial Family. In November 1993, the Museum of the Imperial Collections was established in the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace in order to conserve these works, discover more about them through research, and make them accessible to the public.
The Museum’s collection spans diverse genres, including calligraphy, painting, and decorative arts. Visitors can view many iconic, celebrated works from each period of Japan’s history as well as pieces from around the world that have been gifted to members of the Imperial Family.
Since 2019, construction has been underway to expand the Museum’s storage and exhibition spaces. In 2023, the Museum partially reopened, while its administration was transferred from the Imperial Household Agency to the National Institutes for Cultural Heritage. The Museum will be temporarily closed after this exhibition until a full reopening, which is planned for autumn 2026.
The Museum exterior
For the latest information, please visit the Museum website or
call at +81 (0)50-5541-8600 (NTT Hello Dial Service).
