Exhibition ‘Amanozeki’ Opened

On April 14, the exhibition titled ‘Amanozeki – A Hidden Heritage: Treasures of the Japanese Imperial Convents’ opened at the University Art Museum, Tokyo University of the Arts (until June 14). It presented the beliefs, rituals and daily life of the thirteen Amanozeki temples, where women of high rank, including imperial, aristocratic or shogun families, served as abbesses. It consisted of two sections: Section I ‘Shinkō no sekai (The World of Faith)’ introduced the Buddhist faith of the Amanozeki temples, centering on ‘imperial princess nuns in history’ and ‘worship, decoration and rituals at Amanozeki temples’. Section II ‘Gosho bunka no sekai (The World of Imperial Court Culture)’ showcased furnishings, costumes, dolls and incense utensils, focusing on ‘imperial court culture in daily life’, ‘cultivation and leisure’, and ‘the women who supported Amanozeki temples’. The exhibition shed light on the roles played by women in Japanese Buddhist culture, a subject often discussed primarily from a male perspective. (Japanese)