The National Museum of Korea (Director Yoo Hong-joon) and Tokyo National Museum (Director Fujiwara Makoto) announced they will jointly hold a special Korean art exhibition titled "Treasure Box of Korean Art: Invitation Exhibition of the National Museum of Korea Collection" at Tokyo National Museum starting December 10, as an exchange exhibition between the two countries' representative national museums commemorating the 60th anniversary of Korea-Japan diplomatic normalization. The exhibition runs through April 5.
The exhibition introduces Korean art masterpieces in two chapters. Chapter 1, "Goryeo - Beauty and Faith," presents Buddhist paintings, Buddha statues, and transcribed sutras showcasing refined decorative beauty and religious achievements, alongside celadon and metalwork displaying the splendid aristocratic culture.
The exhibition will demonstrate the diversity of Goryeo-era craftsmanship by displaying celadon and gold-silver vessels of identical shapes, including beautiful flower petal-shaped dishes, cups, and saucers. Notably, two pieces from the "Five Hundred Arhats" series commissioned by Kim Ui-in in 1235 during the Goryeo period—No. 92 Sudaejang (held by the National Museum of Korea) and No. 23 Cheonseong (held by Tokyo National Museum)—will be displayed side by side.
Chapter 2, "Court Culture of the Joseon Dynasty," features the "Painting of the Royal Procession to Hwaseong," documenting King Jeongjo's visit to Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon, along with official court robes, traditional hats (samo), and the girin (mythical creature) chest badge of Heungseon Daewongun.
Since signing an academic exchange agreement in 2002 to promote mutual understanding, the National Museum of Korea and Tokyo National Museum have continued various collaborations for over 20 years, including researcher exchanges, joint research, and mutual loans of collections. This exhibition represents the accumulated achievements of academic exchange, with researchers from both museums jointly planning the exhibition, selecting works, and writing manuscripts.
At the exhibition opening ceremony held on December 9, Tokyo National Museum Director Fujiwara stated: "Through this exhibition, I hope visitors will experience the rich and profound world of history and culture that flows beneath K-culture—K-pop, Korean dramas, Korean cuisine, and cosmetics—which are beloved in contemporary Japanese society."
National Museum of Korea Director Yoo Hong-joon said: "Korea and Japan have historically been close yet sometimes distant neighbors, but culture and art have always served as bridges connecting the gaps. This exhibition will be a wonderful opportunity to walk across that bridge together."
The exhibition will also showcase "MU:DS," cultural products from the National Museum of Korea Foundation, ensuring that overseas exhibitions extend beyond artifact appreciation to demonstrate the modern succession and expansion of Korean traditional culture.
In June last year, the National Museum of Korea held a special Japanese art exhibition titled "Japanese Art - Four Perspectives" (June 17 - August 10, 2025) in Seoul, featuring 40 items from Tokyo National Museum's collection. The current Tokyo exhibition was organized as a reciprocal response.