The 56 works on view through July 18 also include several related objects from the Freer and Sackler Gallery collections. Featured in the exhibition is a miniature figure of the Buddha at Birth—one of the earliest and most important Japanese gilt bronze images from the 7th century—as well as richly illuminated sutra texts, boldly expressive Zen Buddhist maxims rendered in ink monochrome, portraits of Zen masters and mandala paintings; three-dimensional ritual objects and earthenware temple roof tiles. Ranging in date from the eighth through the 19th century, all illustrate the intimate relationships among calligraphy, painting, objects, and faith transmission within the Japanese Buddhist and Shinto traditions. Translations of selected texts are provided.
