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The Shrines and Temples of Nikko, a World Heritage Site. This world-class cultural heritage site of Japan has 9 national treasures and 94 Important Cultural Properties at its core. The buildings and structures in Nikko are said to be works of art created by some of Japan’s most gifted artists of the 17th century, created with the highest level of architectural techniques of the time.
In particular, many are drawn to the overwhelmingly gorgeous architectural design of Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Nikkosan Rinnoji Taiyuin Temple. These architectural works of art still hold onto their splendor to this day. This was made possible through the power of the master craftsmen, who have not only continued to preserve and repair the structures using traditional skills and techniques, but also reliably passed along their knowledge from one generation to the next. As of December 2020, traditional skills, techniques and knowledge for the conservation and transmission of wooden architecture in Japan, was officially inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
In this exhibition, we explore the mystery of its beauty by focusing on one aspect of these traditional skills and techniques. The colors used on the Nikko shrines and temples and the decorative techniques of “coloring” and “metalwork” highlight its unparalleled luxury and glitter. Please enjoy this chance to view a world often only seen from the distance up close and personal – a world of glittering architectural designs and traditional techniques.

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Summary

●Exhibition Title
Special Thematic Exhibition
The Colors and Metalwork of Nikko
Revealing the mystery behind the architectural beauty of its shrines and temples

●Period
October 10 (fri)-December 7(sun), 2025

●Venue
Heiseikan, Tokyo National Museum (Ueno Park)
13-9 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-8712

●Hours
9:30 am - 5:00 pm
*Open until 8:00pm on Fridays, Saturdays , October 12 , November 2 , November 23
*Last admission 30 minutes before closing.

●Closed
Mondays, October 14 , November 4 , November 25
※except for October 13 , November 3 , November 24

●Admission
Adults ¥1000, University students ¥500,
Free for seniors (70 and over) and high school students and younger. Please provide proof of age at entrance.
*Includes permanent exhibition fee

●Organizers
Tokyo National Museum,
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum,
The Association to Promote the Preservation, Utilization, and Development of Techniques of Traditional Architectural Craftspersons

●With the Sponsorship of
Takenaka Corporation

●With the special cooperation of
Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Rinno-ji Temple, Nikko Futarasan-jinja Shrine

●With the cooperation of
Association for the Preservation of the Nikko World Heritage Site Shrines and Temples, General Incorporated Association Shrine and Temple Architectural Decoration Heritage Skill Association, Japanese urushi tapping Preservation Society, Society for the Preservation of Traditional Kanazawa Gold Leaf, Ishikawa-Pref.Leaf Commerce and Industry Cooperative Associaion, Suzuki’s Decorative Metalwork Arts Co., Joboji Museum of History and Folklore, TOPPAN

●With the Assistance of
Nikko City, Ninohe City, Kanazawa City

●Grant
FY2025 Japan Cultural Expo 2.0 Project (Japan Arts Council, Agency for Cultural Affairs)

Access

Heiseikan, Tokyo National Museum (Ueno Park)
13-9 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-8712

●JR Lines: 10-minute walk from Ueno or Uguisudani Station

●Tokyo Metro Lines: 15-minute walk from Ueno or Nezu Station

●Keisei Lines: 15-minute walk from Keisei Ueno Station

Inquiry

Tokyo National Museum

TEL: 050-5541-8600 (Domestic Calls)

13-9 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-8712, Japan

Leaflet PDF
Event

Details and application methods for the event will be announced on this website as soon as they are confirmed.

①Demonstration “Nikko’s Coloring and Gold Leaf on Lacquer”

A demonstration of Nikko’s traditional Ikezaishiki coloring process used in carvings.
1. Pressing gold leaf on lacquer (applying gold leaf over a lacquer coating)
2. Coloring with mineral pigments

●Date & Time
Oct 11 (Sat), 2025
10:30-12:00/13:30-15:00/15:30-17:00
Oct 12 (Sun), 2025
10:00-12:00/14:00PM-16:30

●Venue
Lounge, 1st Floor, Heiseikan, Tokyo National Museum

●Instructor
Association for the Preservation of the Nikko World Heritage Site Shrines and Temples

●Event fee
No charge (museum admission fee required)

No registration required. Open to all visitors (museum admission fee required)

②Lecture “Nikko’s coloring and metalwork, and the Urushi lacquer that supports them”

The lecturer has experience over 50 years as a lacquer craftsman specializing in architectural lacquering, and was involved in the restoration of around 90 buildings in Nikko. The lecture will discuss the specifications of Edo-period lacquering, coloring and gilding, illustrated with examples of paint and color traces as well as documentary sources. In addition, efforts to revive the tapping of domestically produced Japanese lacquer will also be introduced.

●Date & Time
Nov 1 (Sat), 2025
13:30-15:00 (Doors open at 13:00)

●Venue
Auditorium, 1st Floor, Heiseikan, Tokyo National Museum

●Speaker
Noritake Sato (Holder of Selected Conservation Techniques [Lacquer painting of traditional structures])

●Event fee
No charge (museum admission fee required)

●Capacity
Limited to the first 300 participants (prior reservation necessary)

●Reservation
Reservations will be taken until capacity is reached. In the case of cancellations, you may be contacted by the reservation site and allowed to re-apply.

●English interpretation
Check the “interpretation desired” item and reserve by October 2 (Thurs.)

写真提供:(公財) 日光社寺文化財保存会
Register Here
③Workshop “Traditional Coloring Techniques with Flower Patterns”

Join a workshop led by a coloring craftsman involved in the restoration of the Shrines and Temples of Nikko. You will learn to paint floral patterns using traditional techniques with mineral pigments and gold leaf.

●Date & Time
Nov 8 (Sat), 2025
①13:30-14:30 ②15:30-16:30
Nov. 9 (Sun), 2025
①10:30-11:30 ②13:30-14:30 ③15:30-16:30

●Venue
Lounge, 1st Floor, Heiseikan, Tokyo National Museum

●Instruction
Association for the Preservation of the Nikko World Heritage Site Shrines and Temples

●Event fee
¥3,000 (museum admission fee required)

●Capacity
Limited to the first 10 participants per workshop, 3rd grade elementary school and above (prior reservation necessary)
Please note: Elementary school students must participate together with a parent or guardian.

●Reservation
Reservations will be taken until capacity is reached. In the case of cancellations, you may be contacted by the reservation site and allowed to re-apply.

Register Here
④Workshop “Decorative Metalwork Engraving”

A decorative metal fittings craftsman engaged in the restoration of Nikko’s shrines and temples will hold a hands-on workshop in metal engraving.
In the workshop, participants will first practice engraving straight lines, curves, and simple patterns using a Tagane (chisel). Then, on a prepared copper plate with pre-designed motifs, they will hammer in tiny Nanako granules one by one to complete a decorative fitting piece.

●Date & Time
Nov 15 (Sat) – Nov 16 (Sun) , 2025
①11:00-12:00 ②14:00-15:00

●Venue
Lounge, 1st Floor, Heiseikan, Tokyo National Museum

●Instructor
Suzuki’s Decorative Metalwork Arts Co.

●Event fee
¥3,000 (museum admission fee required)

●Capacity
Limited to the first 10 participants per session, 4th grade elementary school and above (prior reservation necessary)
Elementary school students must participate together with a parent or guardian.

●Reservation
Reservations will be taken until capacity is reached. In the case of cancellations, you may be contacted by the reservation site and allowed to re-apply.

Register Here
⑤Demonstration “Decorative Metalwork Engraving”

A decorative metal fittings craftsman engaged in the restoration of Nikko’s shrines and temples will present a live demonstration of metal engraving.

●Date & Time
Nov 15 (Sat) – Nov 16 (Sun), 2025
16:00-17:00

●Venue
Lounge, 1st Floor, Heiseikan, Tokyo National Museum

●Instructor
Suzuki’s Decorative Metalwork Arts Co.

●Event fee
No charge (museum admission fee required)

No registration required. Open to all visitors (museum admission fee required)

⑥Demonstration “Joboji Urushi Lacquer Tapping”

Live demonstration of urushi lacquer tapping (demonstration on actual lacquer trees).

●Date & Time
Nov 22 (Sat) – Nov 23 (Sun), 2025
9:30-12:00/13:00-16:00
Please note: Event will be cancelled in case of stormy weather; will be held in light rain (a tent will be set up).

●Venue
Front Garden, Heiseikan, Tokyo National Museum

●Instructor
Japanese urushi tapping Preservation Society

No registration required. Open to all visitors (museum admission fee required)

⑦Workshop “Make Your Own Bowl with Joboji Urushi Lacquer”

1. Lecture on urushi tapping and lacquering techniques (an overview of the process of lacquerware production: from tree planting → lacquer tapping → wooden base preparation → lacquering steps, along with explanations of tools).
2. Participants will apply the final coat of Joboji lacquer to the inside of a small bowl (the outside of the bowl will already be pre-finished).
The finished pieces will be delivered to participants at a later date. (Considering the curing time of the lacquer, they will be shipped in about 1.5 months.)

●Date & Time
Nov 22 (Sat) – Nov 23 (Sun), 2025
①10:30-12:00 ②13:30-15:00

●Venue
Front Garden, Heiseikan, Tokyo National Museum

●Instructor
Tekiseisha

●Event fee
¥24,000 (Includes bowl and shipping costs. Museum admission fee required)

●Capacity
Limited to the first 5 participants per workshop, high school age and above (prior reservation necessary)

●Reservation
Reservations will be taken until capacity is reached. In the case of cancellations, you may be contacted by the reservation site and allowed to re-apply.

Register Here

Please note that the exhibition works, schedule, event dates, etc. may change due to various circumstances. Please check this website for the latest information.

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