The Chinese zodiac sign for 2024 is the Dragon, the only fictional inhabitant of the zodiac. Dragons have long been represented in Eastern and Western artifacts in various ways: –controlling nature, hiding in secret locations, serving as guardians, fighting, and much more. To start the New Year, this exhibition brings together dragons from across the collections of Keio University and takes you on a journey to the home of these mythical animals in their diverse forms.
The origin of Japanese dragons can be traced back to China, so as a special feature, this exhibition presents the calligraphy of Hayashi Razan and the people around him who led the new Chinese studies and poetry movement of the early Edo period, introducing the ever-present community of people who transmitted and developed this fascinating aspect of Japanese culture.
Overview
Date: Wednesday, January 10 to Friday, February 9, 2024
Closed on Saturdays and Sundays
*Open on Saturday January 20 & Saturday February 3
*Closed on Monday January 22 & Monday February 5
Venue: Keio Museum Commons, East Annex, Keio University Mita Campus
Open hours: 11:00 – 18:00
Admission: Free, open to the general public
Related Event
Gallery Talk: "Daybreak of Chinese Style Calligraphy in Premodern Japan: Hayashi Razan and his Community"
Monday, January 15, 2024, 14:00–15:00
Presented by Prof. Takashi Horikawa (Professor at the Keio Institute of Oriental Classics)
*Please check the website for details and updates on the related programs.
https://kemco.keio.ac.jp/en/
