Exhibition Information
Title
Special Exhibition Supreme Treasures
Japanese Gorgeous Armors
Dates
July 5‐September 7, 2025
Venue
Kasugataisha Museum
160 Kasugano-cho,Nara city,630-8212,Japan
Closed
From August 4 to August 8
Hours
10:00a.m.－5:00p.m.(entrance until 4:30p.m.)
Organizer
Kasuga Taisha Shrine
Additional Support
Kintetsu Railway, JR Central, JR West Japan, NHK Nara Television Stations, Nara Prefecture, Nara City, Nara City Board of Education, Nara Visitors Bureau
Special Cooperation
TOPPAN Holdings Inc.
Purpose of the exhibition
Japanese armor has been made in a variety of styles, but as a whole, it is a showcase of sophisticated crafts of all kinds from metal and lacquer work to dyeing and weaving. Armor can be considered a comprehensive art that exhibits the high level of craftsmanship of the Japanese people, and their aesthetic sense.
he most prestigious of Japanese armors are the Ōyoroi armors, which were mainly made from the late Heian period (794-1185) to the Northern and Southern Courts period (1336-1392). Kasugataisha Shrine holds two of Japan’s most representative armors, the National Treasures named Akaito-odoshi Ōyoroi (one which is decorated with motifs of plum and bush warbler, the other with bamboo, tiger, and sparrow). The metalwork adorning the metalwork of these pieces represents the cutting-edge of metalwork technology of the time.
This exhibition explores the background to the production of Ōyoroi armor, which is a symbol of Japan’s cultural power, and hopes to spread its wonder to visitors both from within Japan and from abroad.
Highlights of the exhibition
Point1
The Akaito-odoshi Ōyoroi (with bamboo, tiger, and sparrow) from Kasugataisha Shrine in Nara and Akaito-odoshi Yoroi (armor and helmet with chrysanthemum motif) from Kushihiki Hachimangu Shrine in Aomori Prefecture are known as the “two great masterpieces of National Treasure armor.” These will be exhibited side by side for the first time in history.
Point2
This is a large-scale exhibition that brings together nine pieces of armor, which is half of the eighteen that have been designated as National Treasures.
Point3
Until the early modern period, Nara was a major producer of armor, and could be called the birthplace of armor in Japan. In this exhibition Kasugataisha Shrine presents some of this stunning and magnificent armor.
Kasugataisha Museum
160 Kasugano-cho,Nara city,630-8212,Japan
⚫︎From Nara Station(JR/Kintetsu)
Take a bus bound for “Kasuga Taisha Honden” stop both from JR and Kintetsu Nara station.The bus stop is located close to Main Approach Way and Kasugataisha Museum.After 3 minutes walk along the Approach Way to the east, you arrive at Main Sanctuary,and 3 minutes walk to west takes you to Manyou Botanical Garden and Garden Cafe
You also can take City Loop Bus(clockwise) to “Kasugataisha Omotesando ”stop.Although it takes 10 minutes to Main Sanctuary via The Botanical Garden,the Loop Buses come more often than the buses above.
*Bus routes and schedules may change. Please check in advance.
令和7年度地域ゆかりの文化資産を活用した展覧会支援事業