Opening the Special Exhibition

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan in 2015, the National Museum of Korea and Tokyo National Museum co-organized this exhibition, which examines the long history of cultural exchange between the two countries. Through the motif of “pensive bodhisattva” sculptures, this exhibition explores the ideas and characteristics of Buddhism that are shared between Korea and Japan. For the first time ever, Korea National Treasure 78 Pensive Bodhisattva and Japan National Treasure Chugu-ji Temple Pensive Bodhisattva are being shown together in one place. While the Korean sculpture is made of cast gilt-bronze, the Japanese sculpture is carved from the wood of a camphor tree. Despite the difference in material and appearance, both pensive bodhisattva statues were produced based on the Maitreya faith, which was popular in both Korea and Japan at the time. These two masterpieces provide compelling evidence of the long history of cultural exchange between Korea and Japan.

We hope that this exhibition will help to enhance the mutual understanding and friendship between the people of Korea and Japan.