New East Wing
External appearance
The New East Wing holds special exhibitions and the Shōsōin Treasures Exhibition (Imperial Storehouse). The facility is also used for small exhibition for featured artworks.
◆About the building
It was built in 1997. The basic architecture was designed by Junzō Yoshimura, who also designed the New West Wing. The East New Wing connects to the New West Wing via the central entrance hall.
Entrance
Exhibition room
New West Wing
External appearance
The New West Wing holds the Exhibition from the Permanent Collection of paintings, written materials, decorative arts and archaeological artifacts. Exhibitions are usually rotated every month, so that visitors can enjoy different masterpieces every visit. However, the Exhibition from the Permanent Collection may not be held when it is used for a special exhibition such as the Shōsōin Exhibition.
On the first floor, there is a library with a collection of 300 books including complete photo books of art. These facilities are opened for those who are interested in the history and art of Buddhism. From the window on the south side, one can see the garden and the Hassōan teahouse.
◆About the building
The reinforced concrete building was completed in 1972. Junzō Yoshimura (1908-1997) designed its basic architecture. In 1998, the building was chosen for the collection of 100 beautiful public architectural works sponsored by the Ministry of Construction. The external appearance takes an image of the Shōsōin Storehouse and uses glass walls on the first floor harmonized with the surroundings.
Exhibition room－
Paintings
Exhibition room－
Writings
Exhibition room－
Handcrafts
Exhibition room－
Archaeological artifacts
