모암문고 茅岩文庫 The Moam Collection

Momoyama Period (1573–1615) Birds and Flowers of the Four Seasons, Momoyama period (1573–1615), early 17th century Kano School Japan Pair of six-fold screens; color on gold-leafed paper Wine container, Momoyama period (1573–1615), ca. 1596–1600 Japan Lacquered wood With the decline of Ashikaga power in the 1560s, the feudal barons, or daimyos, began their struggle for control of Japan. ..

Muromachi Period (1392–1573) Orchids and Rocks, Muromachi period (1392–1573) Gyokuen Bompo (Japanese, 1348–after 1420) Japan Hanging scroll; ink on paper Storage jar, Muromachi period (1392–1573), 14th–15th century; Shigaraki ware Japan Stoneware with natural ash glaze The era when members of the Ashikaga family occupied the position of shogun is known as the Muromachi period, named a..

Heian Period (794–1185) Zao Gongen, Heian period (794–1185), 11th–?12th century Gilt bronze, Japan The new capital was established in Heian-kyo (capital of "peace and tranquility," now known as Kyoto) in 794. Like Nara, it was laid out according to a grid pattern, following the Chinese precedent. Kyoto remained the nation's capital, albeit at times in name only, until 1867. In Kyoto, the ..

Asuka and Nara Periods (538–794) Miniature pagoda, early Nara period (710–794; ca. 767) Wood, Japan Japan's first historical epoch–the Asuka period, named for the area near Nara where the court resided–coincides with the introduction of Buddhism into the country. This new religion contained many ideas and images that were radically different from the concerns of native Shinto. Along wit..

Kofun Period (ca. 3rd century–538) Helmet, 5th century; Kofun period Iron, covered with copper-gilt, Japan, The Metropolitan Museum of Art The Kofun period is named after the tomb mounds that were built for members of the ruling class during this time. The practice of building sepulchral mounds and burying treasures with the dead was transmitted to Japan from the Asian continent about the thi..

Yayoi Culture (ca. 4th century B.C.–3rd century A.D.) Storage jar, Yayoi period (ca. 4th century b.c.–3rd century a.d.) Earthenware, Japan, The Metropolitan Museum of Art Beginning about the fourth century B.C., Jomon culture was gradually replaced by the more advanced Yayoi culture, which takes its name from the site in Tokyo where pottery of this period was first discovered in 1884. The ne..