Incense Burner - Lions Smile in Asia 織部獅子鈕香炉 - 獅子はアジアで笑う

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This is an Oribe-style Mino ware incense burner with a lion-shaped knob, housed at the Tokyo National Museum. Its green glaze is beautiful, isn't it? Created in 1612, Mino ware refers to pottery produced in Mino Province (present-day Gifu Prefecture), while the Oribe style is a design tradition that emerged in the late 16th century under the guidance of Furuta Oribe. 

The Temptation of St. Anthony by David Teniers the Younger 聖アントニウスの誘惑

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Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! 

Can you hear it? I just heard it and couldn't help but chuckle. This poor little frog being poked with a stick—while flying on something like a fish or an alligator with both arms raised—was just so cute, wasn't it?

Beach Vitex (Vitex Rotundifolia) ハマゴウ（浜拷）

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Native to seashores throughout the Pacific, the beach vitex (Vitex rotundifolia) can be found across Japan, producing pale purple flowers from July to September. I didn't know about this plant, but it has been appreciated in Japan since the Heian period (794–1185): its dried fruits were used in pillows to improve sleep and in traditional medicine, while its leaves and stems were burned as an incense to repel mosquitoes. And surprisingly, it's now used to flavor craft gin made in Hiroshima! I want to taste the gin!

Foxglove (Digitalis Purpurea) ジギタリス

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Native to Europe, Western Asia, and northwestern Africa, foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) are believed to have arrived in Japan in 1879. 

When I first saw the flowers, I hadn't heard of the term 'foxglove,' but I had read about 'digitalis' many times as a poison in Agatha Christie's novels. They're beautiful, yet deadly—a bit like some women.

Chocolate Vine (Akebia Quinata) アケビ（木通）

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Native to East Asia, chocolate vines (Akebia quinata) can be found across Japan. They bear pale purple flowers from April to May, followed by chocolate-scented fruits from September to October. Female flowers outnumber the males and are slightly larger.

Netsuke - Dog Days 根付 - 猛暑

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This is a netsuke titled 'Dog Days,' crafted from ivory by Gaho Goto, a Japanese netsuke artist. The bulldog with sweat dripping down its face is so funny. It's housed at the Tokyo National Museum.

Kawaii Two-Legged Yokai Goblin Netsuke Sculpture 妖怪二本足

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This 5cm netsuke is titled 'Two-legged yokai (goblin)' and is in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum. It was carved out of boxwood by Yoji Yamada. It's so cute! 

Interestingly, his name is pronounced the same as the famous Japanese film director Yoji Yamada, even though they use different kanji (Chinese characters). He used to carve these while working as a regular company employee. 

Netsuke 'Watermelon' スイカ

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This 3cm tall netsuke is titled 'Watermelon' and housed at the Tokyo National Museum. It was crafted with maki-e lacquer painting by Kinuyo Hariya, a Japanese netsuke and maki-e artist. 

Firethorn Tree (Pyracantha) ピラカンサ（常盤山査子）

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Native to an area extending from Southwest Europe east to Southeast Asia, the firethorn, or pyracantha, can be found across Japan. It produces white flowers from May to June and begins bearing berries in October, which turn red, orange, and yellow and last through February.

Zao Gongen (Kung Fu Buddha) 押出蔵王権現像

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This 15-cm tall artifact is a repoussé image of the deity Zao Gongen, housed at the Tokyo National Museum. Crafted from gilt bronze during the 10th to 12th century, it was discovered at the peak of Mt. Ōmine in Nara Prefecture.

When I saw him for the first time, he didn't have a name. I asked a museum staff member, but she said they'd lost his background information and that sort of thing happened often. That's how I tentatively named him 'Kung Fu Buddha.' 😜 A few years later, the museum retrieved his background information and labeled him Zao Gongen.

Inside and Outside Tokyo National Museum 東京国立博物館の中と外

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The Tokyo National Museum was established in 1872. I sometimes visit it, especially when I need to recharge by surrounding myself with beautiful art.

Its exterior is amazing, but that's not all. The interior of each building is just as impressive. Take a look at one of the stained glass windows in the Honkan main building below!

Across the street is Ueno Park, where you'll find a fountain, a peony garden, a zoo, a Starbucks, and, if you're lucky, plenty of food stands! This area is definitely worth spending some time in.

Hyokeikan building during night 夜の表慶館