Stimulate your intellectual curiosity! Introducing the notable treasures on display at the "World Heritage Site: The Great Silk Road Exhibition"

We'd like to introduce you to an exhibition currently being held on an unprecedented scale that is sure to be a must-see, even for those who say they don't know much about history.

Why not go out and have your intellectual curiosity piqued?

A lineup of Chinese national treasures! "45th Anniversary of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and the People's Republic of China: World Heritage, The Great Silk Road Exhibition" (Fukuoka Asian Art Museum)

The Silk Road is known as a trade route that crossed the Eurasian continent and connected the East and the West.

In an era before cars or trains, many people and goods traveled back and forth on this epic journey that covered a quarter of the circumference of the Earth, crossing deserts and snowy mountains. It is thought to have played an important role in the history of mankind.

Its influence is felt even within Japan. For example, as the birthplace of the treasures stored in the Shosoin Repository in Nara, cultures originating from Persia, Central Asia, and even Greece and Rome have drawn attention, and the history of exchange between the two cultures is being studied.

Since the Silk Road was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014 ("Silk Roads: Trade Routes of the Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor"), academic surveys and research on the area have progressed at an unprecedented pace, and new discoveries continue to be made.

Photo: 45th Anniversary of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China - World Heritage Site: The Great Silk Road Exhibition

The Fukuoka Asian Art Museum is holding the "45th Anniversary of the China-Japan Peace and Friendship Treaty: World Heritage Site, The Great Silk Road Exhibition" until Sunday, March 24, 2024.

One of the reasons why this exhibition is so highly recommended is that it is the first large-scale Silk Road exhibition held outside of China since it was designated a World Heritage Site.

In particular, this is a rare opportunity to see the outstanding products of the Silk Road on an unprecedented scale, thanks to the generosity of the Chinese side.

Introducing the most noteworthy treasures on display, including 200 "first-class cultural relics" from China!

This exhibition brings together 200 Silk Road artifacts and related materials from 27 major museums and research institutes in China. You can see 45 "first-class cultural artifacts" up close, including gold and silver jewelry, bronzeware, glass, ceramics, murals, paintings, dyed textiles, scriptures, and Buddhist statues. *First-class cultural artifacts: China's unique classification of the most valuable cultural artifacts.

Here we will introduce some of the most notable exhibits that you definitely want to see.

"Agate inlaid cup"

This is the first-class cultural artifact, the "Agate Inlaid Cup," which is also used as the main visual for the exhibition.

"Agate inlaid cup" (5th-7th century, excavated in 1997 from the Boma ancient tomb in Zhaosu County, Ili City, first-class cultural relic, Ili State Museum)

A gold cup unearthed from a tomb in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The entire surface of the vessel is divided into directional sections, each of which is set with a red precious stone (agate).

The pattern is in the shape of a tiger. It shows the characteristics and traditional techniques of the western grasslands, and has been suggested to be related to the culture of the nomadic people of the grasslands.

"Manichaean Sogdian Letter"

This is also a first-class cultural artifact, a Manichaean Sogdian letter.

"Manichaean Sogdian Letter" (Early 11th century, excavated in 1981 from Cave 65 of Bezeklik Caves, Turpan, first-class cultural property, Turpan Museum)

This is a vertically written, cursive Sogdian letter addressed to a Manichaean monk. It features illustrations of the white hats and musicians of Manichaean origin, as well as red seals on various parts of the paper, giving it the character of a strong official document. Sogdian played an important role as an international common language on the Silk Road.

"Female figurines"

This is a female figurine.

"Female Statue" (Tang Dynasty, 8th century, excavated from the Tang Tombs in Zhongbao Village, Xi'an in 1959, first-class cultural relic, Shaanxi History Museum)

With her plump face and graceful posture, she is said to represent a "typical Tang Dynasty beauty of that era."

The indigo undergarment, long skirt, and diagonal shawl are all coated with vivid glaze (sansai), and the face and head are painted.

"Feng Neck Cup"

This gorgeous dish is called the "Phoenix Head Cup."

"Phoenix Head Cup" (Tang Dynasty, 8th century, excavated in 1982 at Hansenzhai, Xi'an, first-class cultural relic, Shaanxi History Museum)

The handle is made up of the phoenix's neck and the leaves coming out of its mouth. The lively floral pattern on the body imitates the shape of a rhyton (a horn cup), a metal vessel popular in the West. You can imagine the elegant figure of a Tang dynasty filling this elaborately designed cup with sake and sharing it.

"Seated Bodhisattva"

A Tang dynasty "seated bodhisattva statue" excavated from the Fengxian Temple ruins near the Longmen Grottoes, a World Heritage Site in Henan Province.

"Seated Bodhisattva" (Tang Dynasty, 7th-8th century, excavated in 2000 from the Fengxian Temple site in Luoyang, first-class cultural relic, Longmen Grottoes Research Institute)

First and foremost, the slender waist! The beautiful proportions of the extremely slim torso, the natural posture with the right leg dangling down, and the luxurious ornaments are all influenced by Indian Gupta art.

There are still many precious works on display. Please come and visit Ajibi. (Text/ARNE Editorial Department)

＜Outline of the "45th Anniversary of the China-Japan Peace and Friendship Treaty" World Heritage Great Silk Road Exhibition＞

会期：2024年1月2日（開催中）～3月24日（日） ※休館日：毎週水曜（ただし、3月20日は開館、3月21日は休館）
時間：9：30～18：00 　※最終入場は30分前
会場：福岡アジア美術館（福岡市博多区下川端町3-1リバレインセンタービル7F）
観覧料：一般1,600円（1,500円）、高・大生1,000円（900円）、小中生600円（500円）※未就学児無料、（　）内は20名以上の団体料金。※再入場不可。※シルクロード展会期中のみ、本展の半券でアジア美術館7Fアジアギャラリーで開催中の「福岡アジア美術館ベストコレクション」展も観覧可能。※次の方は無料となります。身体障害者手帳・精神障害者保健福祉手帳・療育手帳の提示者本人とその介護者1名、特定医療費（指定難病）受給者証・特定疾患医療受給者証・先天性血液凝固因子障害等医療受給者証・小児慢性特定疾病医療受給者証の提示者本人。※大学生以下の方は展示室入口にて学生証や生徒手帳をご提示ください。※会期中の電子チケットは当日料金での販売です。電子チケットは購入の際にプレイガイドによって各種手数料が発生する場合があります。
主催：福岡アジア美術館、中国文物交流中心、読売新聞社、FBS福岡放送、西日本新聞社、西日本新聞イベントサービス
問い合わせ：TEL092-263-1100（福岡アジア美術館）
企画協力：黄山美術社
企画：東京富士美術館
後援：外務省、中国人民対外友好協会、中国大使館、福岡県、福岡県教育委員会、福岡市教育委員会、NIB長崎国際テレビ、KKT熊本県民テレビ、KYT鹿児島読売テレビ
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