Photo/Illutration The “Seated Yakushi Nyorai,” a national treasure. Photo taken July 16 at the Nara National Museum in Nara (Motofumi Watanabe)

NARA--A special two-part exhibition is being held at the Nara National Museum here that traces the 1,400-year history of Buddhist art in Japan through 246 artworks, of which 13 are national treasures.

The items, which are all from the museum's collection, include the "Golden Light of the Most Victorious Kings Sutra," a national treasure produced in the Nara Period (710-784). It represents a classic type of Buddhist sutra created to pray for continued peace and stability in the country.

It is said that Emperor Shomu ordered state-sponsored Kokubunji temples in every province to enshrine a copy of the sutra in a pagoda.

Another national treasure, the "Seated Yakushi Nyorai," was created in the Heian Period (794-1185). The 50-centimeter-tall statue is characterized by its chiseled face and sharply sculpted creases of the robe.

The museum has prepared a guidebook that is easy to understand for children to appeal to younger visitors not accustomed to Buddhist art. Official mascots modeled after artworks from its collection serve as guides for the displays.

The first part of the "Buddhist Art Paradise: Jewels of the Nara National Museum" ran until Aug. 15. The second part will be held from Aug. 17 to Sept. 12.

Advance tickets cost 1,300 yen ($12) for adults, 800 yen for senior high school and college students and 300 yen for those attending elementary and junior high schools (an additional 200 yen is charged per ticket for purchases at the door).

The venue is closed on Mondays.

For inquiries, visit the official website at (https://www.narahaku.go.jp/english/exhibition/special/202107_zanmai/).

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