Exhibition

The coming year of Reiwa 5 (2023) marks a major turning point, marking the 1,250th anniversary of the birth of Kobo Daishi Kukai (774-835). This exhibition commemorates this occasion by introducing approximately 40 selected treasures from Kongobu-ji Temple, Mount Koya, which was founded by Kukai. After traveling to China and inheriting the orthodoxy of esoteric Buddhism, Kukai opened Mount Koya in 816, with imperial permission from Emperor Saga, as a training center for mastering the mysteries of esoteric Buddhism. He entered nirvana at Okunoin in 835, and it is believed that he still prays for the salvation of all living beings here. In its 1,200-year history since its founding, Mount Koya has attracted faith across time and sects as a sacred place for Shingon Esoteric Buddhism and a place of longing for those who admire Kukai. Imperial family members, aristocrats, and powerful feudal lords and other powerful people of the time donated Buddhist statues, paintings, and crafts made using the most advanced techniques of the time, resulting in the formation of one of the largest and most advanced treasure troves of Buddhist art in Japan, and the numerous historical and cultural assets that are world-class have been carefully preserved and passed down to this day, leading to the nickname "Shosoin of the Mountains." We hope that through this exhibition, visitors will be able to experience the essence of our country's culture, nurtured by the spirit of Kukai and the magnificent history of Mount Koya. We will also be introducing materials showing the connection between Mount Koya and Iyo.

Organizers: Executive Committee for the "National Treasures of Mount Koya Kongobu-ji Temple Exhibition" (Ehime Prefecture, Ai TV)
Co-organizers: Ehime Shimbun
Special cooperation: Mount Koya Shingon Sect Head Temple Kongobu-ji Temple, Mount Koya Cultural Property Preservation Society (Public Interest Foundation)
Supervision: Ito Shiro (Director of Wakayama Prefectural Museum)
Special sponsors: Iyo Bank, Ehime Bank, Miura Corporation
Sponsors: HIROTSU Biosciences, NIPPON EXPRESS Holdings, Fuji, DCM, Two Connect, Sakai Moving Center, Belmony, Sanpuku Holdings, Takara Standard, Taisho Pharmaceutical, Japan Airlines, Matsuyama Mitsukoshi, Yamazaki Baking, Higashimaru Soy Sauce, Shikoku Electric Power, STNet, Ichiro Honpo, ECC, Iota OA System, Iyotetsu Takashimaya, Kadoya Gumi, Stone Promotion Association, Lexus Matsuyama Johoku, Daikoro, Tax Accountant Corporation Ochi Accounting Office, Asahi Breweries, PORTE, JT Ehime Branch, Sompo Japan Insurance, Old England Dogo Yamanote Hotel

Sponsored by: Matsuyama City, Matsuyama City Board of Education, Ehime Prefectural Municipal Board of Education Association, Ehime Prefectural Association of Elementary and Junior High School Principals, Association of 88 Shikoku Pilgrimage Sites, Ehime Buddhist Association, Ehime Art Association, Ehime Art Education Federation, Ehime Cultural Association, Ehime Cultural Promotion Foundation, Matsuyama Tourism and Convention Association, Iyotetsu Group, Asahi Shimbun Matsuyama General Bureau, Yomiuri Shimbun Matsuyama Branch, Mainichi Shimbun Matsuyama Branch, Sankei Shimbun, Nankai Broadcasting, Television Ehime, Ehime Asahi Television, Ehime CATV, FM Ehime, Ehime Living Newspaper

Ehime Prefectural Museum of Art (Main Building Museum Shop, South Building Fureai Art Center), Ai TV (Head Office Reception, Online Ticket), Ehime Shimbun Travel (Weekdays 9:00-17:30, Saturdays 9:00-14:00), Iyotetsu Takashimaya, Fuji Grand stores in Shikoku, Akiya Bookstore stores in the prefecture (excluding some stores), A-Coop West Japan (Imabari Aisai, Hato Mart Yamakoshi, Hato Mart Hojo, Tobe, Jonan), Lawson Ticket (L Code: 62361), Ticket Pia (P Code 686-136), CN Play Guide, Family Mart, 7-Eleven, Ticket Ehime, Iyotetsu Railway major stations, etc.

[Order] Ehime Shimbun Prefectural Branches, Area Services, Shikoku Chuo TV

* Advance tickets are on sale until Friday, September 30th.

Date and time: Saturday, October 1st, 13:30-15:30 (doors open at 13:00)
Location: Matsuyama Civic Hall, Middle Hall
(1) Lecture: "The History of Mt. Koya and the Life of Kukai"
Speaker: Imagawa Yasunobu (General Director of the Koyasan Shingon Sect)
(2) Lecture: "Cultural Assets of Kongobu-ji Temple"
Speaker: Omori Shoryu (Director of the Koyasan Reiho Museum)
Capacity: 583 people
*Advance registration required. Exhibition admission ticket (ticket stub acceptable) is required.
*Registration is accepted via Ai TV Sales Promotion Department (089-921-2192), our museum phone/fax, and our website (contact form).

Date and time: Sunday, October 2nd, 14:00-15:15 (doors open 13:30)
Location: Ehime Prefectural Civic Cultural Center Sub-Hall
Price: 3,000 yen in advance, 3,500 yen on the day (all seats reserved, tax included)
Performers: Nishimura Naoki (composer, synthesizer player)
Miyamoto Koken (scriptwriter)*Former Head of Teachings, Ninna-ji Temple, Head Temple of the Omuro School of Shingon Buddhism
Watanabe Eiko (contemporary dancer) with Dance Studio 108
Tanimoto Shoryu Eikai supervisor, Miyoshi Enkyo, Kito Seimei (Kongo-ryu Goeika)
Nagaki Mitsuru (demonstration)*Japan Karate Shoto Federation Head Office Director Nagaki with all dojo students
[Ticket agency] Iyotetsu Takashimaya, Lawson Ticket (L code: 61931), Ai TV (head office reception, online ticket)
※Tickets on sale Friday, August 5th
※Ticket holders can view the exhibition at the advance ticket price by presenting their ticket stub.

Date and time: Sunday, October 9th, 14:00-15:00
Location: Museum auditorium
Performer: Gakujinzan (shakuhachi player, composer)
Capacity: 60 people
※Free to attend. Advance registration required.
※Registration can be made by phone, fax, or through the museum's website (contact form).

Date and time: [Buddhist statues and crafts] Saturday, October 22
[Paintings and calligraphy] Saturday, November 12
14:00-15:00 each day
Location: Museum auditorium
Lecturer: Nagai Ken (specialist curator and section chief at the museum)
Capacity: 60 people
※Free to attend. No registration required.

Date and time: Sunday, October 30th, 10:30-12:00
Location: Museum auditorium
Speaker: Ito Shiro (Director of Wakayama Prefectural Museum, curator of this exhibition)
Capacity: 60 people
 ※Free to attend. Advance registration required.
 ※We accept inquiries by phone, fax, or via our website (contact form).

Date and time: Thursday, November 3rd (National Holiday) 14:00-15:00
Location: Museum Auditorium
Lecturer: Satoshi Doi (Chief Curator, Museum)
Capacity: 60
*Free to attend. No registration required.

Dates: October 9th (Sun), 23rd (Sun), November 6th (Sun), 20th (Sun)
11:00-11:30 each day
Location: Museum training room
Navigators: Museum art guide volunteers
Capacity: 20 people
※Free to attend. No registration required.

Venue: Main Building 2nd Floor, Permanent Exhibition Room 2
※Free admission
Organizers: Ehime Prefecture, Shikoku Pilgrimage Japan Heritage Council
Sponsor: Atom Group

Date and time: Sunday, November 6th, 14:00-16:00 (doors open 13:30)
Location: Ehime Prefectural Museum of Art, Auditorium
(1) Lecture title: "Is the Master still there?"
Takaaki Soeda (President of Koyasan University)
(2) Lecture title: "The Ultimate Sacred Land, Mount Koya"
Fumiaki Yamaguchi (Secretary General of Koyasan University)
Capacity: 60
※Advance registration required.
※Registrations can be made by phone, fax, or via our website (contact form).

Dates and times: October 23rd (Sun), 30th (Sun), November 6th (Sun), 13th (Sun), 20th (Sun)
(1) 11:00- (2) 13:30- *Each session lasts approximately 30 minutes
Location: Ehime Prefectural Museum of Art Entrance Hall
※Free to participate. No registration required.
※Participants should bring their own camera, smartphone, tablet, or other photography equipment.
※If there are a large number of participants, some photography may be restricted.