Among the furnishings of Japanese homes, folding screens have long been used to divide rooms. The folds of these screens, often joined together in groups of two or six, create a three-dimensional effect that engages our visual sense. The subjects, vividly rendered against gold backgrounds, are particularly striking. The subjects depicted are diverse, ranging from Chinese historical fables to Japanese customs and the flora and fauna of the four seasons. This exhibition will showcase folding screens from the museum’s collection, including ink paintings and gorgeous gold-backed screens, centered around the group of folding screens that once graced Shokoku-ji Temple.

Highlight 1Golden Folding Screens from the Past

Inventories of Shokoku-ji Temple’s furnishings from the Edo period to modern times list several “golden folding screens.” Indeed, a variety of gold folding screens have been preserved to this day. Among these, there are golden folding screens donated by Emperor Gomizunoo and related imperial family members. These have transcended the boundaries of mere practical use as windbreaks or partitions and have been treasured as temple treasures. View these magnificent works that adorned the Shokoku-ji temple complex during the Edo period along with their history.

Highlight 2Small Sliding Screens of Sub-Temples

What greatly defines the impression of the building are the partition paintings that immediately catch the eye of visitors. When it comes to partition paintings, the small sliding screens that separate the small storage spaces above and below the shelves next to the alcove are often overlooked. Among these, the landscape sliding screens from Jisho-in Temple and others will be on public display for the first time. Furthermore, the large study at Rokuon-ji Temple is home to a group of partition paintings in ink, representative works by Ito Jakuchu, while the small sliding screens in the first and fourth rooms were painted by Sumiyoshi Jokei. Be sure to take your time viewing them in the exhibition room, especially the small screens featuring adorable dogs.

Commemorative Lecture: “A Fun Way to Appreciate Folding Screen Paintings”

Date and Time

Saturday, February 21, 2026,
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Lecturer

Yoshiya Yamashita, Art Historian (Former Chief Researcher, Tokyo National Museum)

Location

Second Floor Auditorium (Doors open at 1:30 PM)

Capacity

First 80 people

Lecture: “Folding Screens in Temple Spaces”

Date and Time

Saturday, November 1, 2025,
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Lecturer

Junko Honda, Museum Curator

Location

Second Floor Auditorium (Doors open at 1:30 PM)

Capacity

First 80 people

Gallery Talk

Date and Time

Saturday, December 6, 2025,
Saturday, February 7, 2026,
Saturday, March 7, 2026
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Lecturer

Junko Honda, Museum Curator

Location

Exhibition Room

*A day-of admission ticket is required for each event.