ㅇExhibited artifacts: 98 works and 115 related items, including painted pottery from Ban Chiang, Thailand

 

 

This exhibition displays ceramic works and earthenware from among 1,020 ethnic works from various parts of Asia that were donated by Kaneko Kazushige.

 

The exhibition has three themes – “Asia’s Earthenware”, “Production of Earthenware”, and “Religion and Folk Belief”. Key exhibits are earthenware, statues of the Buddha, masks, clay dolls, and animal figures from various parts of Asia.
 
The museum will continue to systematically introduce beautiful sculpture and other works that embody the lives and psyche of Asians, and continually hold thematic exhibitions of the huge collection of artworks donated by Kaneko Kazushige. In so doing, the museum will not only actively show donated works to the public but promote the spirit of donation.

 

 

 

A Variety of Earthenware Reflecting Asian Life

 

The ‘Mother Earth’ giving life to everything makes us of abundant gifts. She is the origin of all creation, feeding plants and animals to let us nurture life and afford various materials to allow us to produce all sorts of things.

 

In particular, clay is a modeling material that can be easily used and spaced, and a great many Asian people, by following the dispensation of nature, have made a variety of unique clay objects.

 

This exhibition displays earthenware that reflects Asian life and the spiritual world in a coherent way and, are arranged to reveal the characteristics and plastic esthetics of diverse ethnic groups of Asia, who have preserved tradition through modernization.

  

Pottery from Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia consists of peninsulas and islands, including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The climate is mainly tropical and subtropical, and local people produce pottery wares (and have since early times) which are suitable for hot and humid weather.

 

 

Pottery from South Asia

South Asia comprises the Indian subcontinent and includes Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan. The tropical monsoon climate is commonly found in the region and population density is rather high; however, pottery showing local characteristics was well developed in the region and, in particular, those made for folk customs, such as marriage and burial, are still widely used.

 

 

 

Pottery from West Asia

West Asia is situated in the south-western region of Asia and has a primarily high temperature and arid climate. Countries included in the region are Saudi Arabia, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Bahrain, Oman, and Yemen. This area of Asia is the crossroads of East and West, therefore, complexity of history and diversity of exchange are well represented in the pottery.

 

 

Hindu God Masks of Nepal

Nepal is located in the Himalayas and a variety of people, including the Newar tribes; Newars believe in Hinduism and hold a grand ritual ceremony once a year. The chariot of a living Hindu Goddess, "Kumari" is drawn and people offer the blood sacrifice of an animal, such as a goat, chicken or buffalo. In the course of ceremony; young adults come wearing masks of thirteen Hindu deities in order to praise the gods for their virtues; and, the ritual ends by the tearing of the masks which are made of clay and paper.

 

 

[Download a leaflet in Korean/English]