Special Exhibition: Nanto Buddhist Paintings — Reviving the Beauty of Nara's Tenpyo Era

Event Overview

Nara, once known as the "Nanto" (Southern Capital), is the birthplace of "Nanto Buddhist Paintings"—exquisite Buddhist art that has been passed down since ancient times. During the Nara period, the international and sophisticated styles of the Tenpyo era graced great temples and set the standard for generations to come. This exhibition is a groundbreaking attempt to trace the history of these sacred paintings alongside a selection of masterpieces.

A major highlight of this event is the homecoming of precious Buddhist paintings from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. This international collaboration, which took approximately 20 years to realize, brings together the premier collections of both the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Nara National Museum. Visitors can also experience the profound history of the region through the paintings and sculptures that once adorned the famous Uchiyama Eiju-ji temple.

Highlights & What to Expect

The most captivating aspect of this exhibition is the fusion of world-class collections. It offers a rare opportunity to see the treasures of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the masterpieces of the Nara National Museum side by side.

• *International Collection Fusion**: The Buddhist paintings from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston arrive in Nara after a 20-year planning process.
• *Tracing the Evolution of Art**: Follow the historical transition from the international beauty of the Tenpyo era to the elegant styles of the Heian period and the restorative expressions of the Kamakura period.
• *Memories of Sacred Temples**: Revisit the lost landscapes of ancient temples through the art and sculptures that once graced the halls of Uchiyama Eiju-ji.

Schedule

The exhibition runs from July 18, 2026, to September 13, 2026. The display is divided into two distinct periods:

• *First Period**: July 18, 2026 (Sat) – August 16, 2026 (Sun)
• *Second Period**: August 18, 2026 (Tue) – September 13, 2026 (Sun)

• August 5 (Wed) – August 7 (Fri) and August 9 (Sun) – August 14 (Fri): Open until 18:00
• August 8 (Sat) and August 15 (Sat): Open until 19:00

Venue & Access

The exhibition is held at the East and West New Buildings of the Nara National Museum.

【Access】

• Approximately a 15-minute walk from Kintetsu "Nara Station."
• From JR Nara Station or Kintetsu Nara Station, take the Nara Kotsu "City Loop" bus (Outer Loop) and get off at the "Himuro Jinja / Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan" stop.

Visitor Tips

This is a highly significant international collaboration with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Since the exhibition is split into a "First Period" and a "Second Period," we recommend checking the official website in advance to see which specific masterpieces are on display during your visit.

Essentials

• *Payment Methods**: Credit cards (VISA, JCB, AMEX, etc.), electronic money (PayPay, LINE Pay, d-払い, etc.), and various transit IC cards are accepted.
• *Tickets & Reservations**: Admission fees for this special exhibition are determined at the time of the event. Please check the official website for the latest pricing and reservation requirements.
• *Clothing & Comfort**: The museum maintains strict temperature and humidity control to protect the artifacts. Please dress comfortably for the season.