Shinto: the discovery of the divine in Japanese art

For many centuries, worship of the deities called Kami was a central feature of Japanese culture and a source of inspiration for a wide range of Japanese art. Most recently, the worship of kami falls under the auspices of various rites, known as Shinto, or the Path of the Gods. This is the first study on Shinto art from collections in the United States and Japan, this exhibition presents works illustrating Kami worship from the Heian period (794-1185) to the Edo period (1615-1868).

Exhibitionand its accompanying catalog use a thematic approach to understanding works of art created in honor of the world of kami. From costumes worn in dances and theatrical performances in shrines to paintings of medieval pilgrimage routes and images of kamas and Buddhist deities, the exhibition is an expression of the daily interaction of people with deities. works designated by the government of Japan as important cultural values.