Tokyo National Museum Heiseikan Special Exhibition “Todaiji Great Buddha – Treasure of Tenpyo”

The visitors were able to see the essence of Tenpyo culture through the works related to the construction of the Great Buddha. In addition to the 4.5m-tall octagonal lantern (national treasure) in front of the Great Buddha Hall, which was on public display outside the temple for the first time, Tenpyo treasures were also on displays, including the standing statue of the newborn Buddha (national treasure), known as the largest newborn Buddha in Japan of ancient times, and the Gigaku mask (important cultural property) used at the Great Buddha's eye-opening ceremony. The history of Todaiji Temple, which has been passed down to the present day, was also introduced through masterpieces of portrait sculptures by the monks Chogen and Kokei, who rebuilt the Great Buddha in the Kamakura and Edo periods.

Responsibilities: design, layout, production and construction