From January 2nd to January 26th, 2025, the Tokyo National Museum invites visitors to explore all things slithering with their New Year's Celebration exhibition. Held at the Honkan (main building), this event commemorates the Year of the Snake with an array of snake-inspired artworks and artifacts from various eras and regions.
Exhibition Highlights
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Seated Buddha on a Naga: This 12th–13th century statue excavated from Lopburi, Thailand depicts the Buddha meditating under the protection of Naga, the king of snakes. The seven-headed snake behind the Buddha adds a majestic aura to this spiritual scene.
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Free-Standing Snake Ornament This Show Period articulated sculpture by Muneyoshi mimics a snake’s natural movements, with an incredible 222 moving parts.
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Statue of the Twelve Generals (Snake God): Dating back to the 13th century, this statue is from Kyoto's Jōruri-ji Temple, and is listed as an Important Cultural Property.
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White Snake on a Pine Tree This Edo-period ukiyo-e print by Keisai Eisen depicts a white snake basking in the morning sun, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune for the New Year.
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White Background with Scale Pattern Noh Costume: An 18th-century Noh costume adorned with intricate scale patterns, representing the transformative nature of snakes.
This one-of-a-kind exhibition offers visitors a chance to appreciate the allure of snakes through a variety of historical artistic interpretations.
Ticketing Information
This is a paid exhibition, and is priced at 1000 JPY for adults and 500 JPY for university students. Admission is free for high school aged students and below, and those over the age of 70. Please bring proof of age documents if you fit into either of the free admission categories.
