Special Feature: Tea Utensils and Their Accompaniments (Kyoto National Museum)

- Dates
- Dec 22 (Tue) – Mar 22 (Mon)
- Hours
- 9:30 – 17:00 (Fridays until 20:00); last entry 30 min before closing
- Price
- General ¥700, university students ¥350; free for high school and under, under 18 and 70+
- Where
- Kyoto National Museum (Shichijo)
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National Treasure Oido Tea Bowl, Kizaemon
Good to know
A feature exhibition of tea utensils with their boxes, pouches and other accompaniments. Open until 8:00 PM on Fridays; last entry 30 minutes before closing.
- Dates
- Dec 22 (Tue) – Mar 22 (Mon)
- Hours
- 9:30 – 17:00 (Fridays until 20:00); last entry 30 min before closing
- Venue
- Kyoto National Museum
- Nearest station
- Shichijo
- Admission
- General ¥700, university students ¥350; free for high school and under, under 18 and 70+
About this event
The National Treasure Oido Tea Bowl named Kizaemon is displayed alongside objects that have protected and accompanied it through history. In Japanese tea culture, boxes and fabric pouches are important parts of a utensil's legacy. Together these accessories are called shidai. The exhibition also includes a black Raku tea bowl named Mukiguri by Chojiro and tea utensils made by Nonomura Ninsei. Instead of focusing only on ceramics, the display explores how objects were preserved and passed between owners.
Highlights
- National Treasure Oido Tea Bowl, Kizaemon
- Black Raku tea bowl Mukiguri by Chojiro
- Tea utensils by Nonomura Ninsei
- Boxes and fabric pouches that accompany tea utensils
- Good for
- For visitors interested in tea culture, Japanese ceramics and the history of treasured objects.
Good to know before you go
- University students must present student identification.
- Visitors eligible for age-based free admission must show proof of age.
- Admission includes all exhibitions in the Heisei Chishinkan building on the same day.
- Eligible disability certificate holders and one accompanying caregiver receive free admission.
Why are the boxes and fabric pouches of tea utensils treasured?
The history of a Japanese tea utensil is not recorded only in the object itself. Its protective boxes, bags and other accompanying objects have also been preserved. Together they are known as shidai.
These accessories include tomobako, boxes associated with the original maker, and shifuku, fabric pouches that could be commissioned by successive owners. They offer clues to the care and ownership of an object.
The exhibition includes the National Treasure Oido Tea Bowl named Kizaemon, held by Kohoan in Kyoto, along with works by Chojiro and Nonomura Ninsei.
When viewing these objects, pay as much attention to their boxes and pouches as to the ceramics themselves.
Sources: Kyoto National Museum: Tea Utensils and Their Accompanying Objects (Japanese)
What stood on the museum grounds before the modern galleries?
The Kyoto National Museum site was developed for museum use during the Meiji period. Government regulations establishing imperial museums in Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara were issued in 1889.
Construction of the exhibition hall designed by Tokuma Katayama began in 1892. The building was completed in 1895, and the Imperial Kyoto Museum opened in 1897.
The modern Heisei Chishinkan building, designed by Yoshio Taniguchi, opened in 2014. Walk through the grounds and compare its architecture with that of the historic Meiji Kotokan.
Sources: Kyoto National Museum: Museum Overview (Japanese), Kyoto National Museum: Buildings (Japanese)
Also nearby
Within walking distance, with dates overlapping



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FAQ
- What is Special Feature: Tea Utensils and Their Accompaniments (Kyoto National Museum)?
- The National Treasure Oido Tea Bowl named Kizaemon is displayed alongside objects that have protected and accompanied it through history. In Japanese tea culture, boxes and fabric pouches are important parts of a utensil's legacy. Together these accessories are called shidai. The exhibition also includes a black Raku tea bowl named Mukiguri by Chojiro and tea utensils made by Nonomura Ninsei. Instead of focusing only on ceramics, the display explores how objects were preserved and passed between owners.
- When is Special Feature: Tea Utensils and Their Accompaniments (Kyoto National Museum)?
- From Dec 22 (Tue) to Mar 22 (Mon), 2027.
- What are the opening hours?
- 9:30 – 17:00 (Fridays until 20:00); last entry 30 min before closing
- How much does it cost?
- General ¥700, university students ¥350; free for high school and under, under 18 and 70+
- Where is it and what is the nearest station?
- Kyoto National Museum. The nearest station is Shichijo.
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