Latest news with #LotusSutra
Korea Herald
27-06-2025
- General
- Korea Herald
Over 260 Japanese national treasures featured at special exhibitions in Osaka, Nara, Kyoto
OSAKA (Japan News/ANN) -- With the occasion of the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, art galleries and museums throughout the Kansai region held special exhibitions, displaying Japan's finest pieces and putting new spins on them, with three museums in Osaka, Nara and Kyoto recently exhibiting national treasures. More than 260 national treasures, or about 30 percent of all the national treasures in the country excluding structures, were displayed, providing a rare opportunity to view a large number of masterpieces. 135 national treasures in Osaka The largest number of national treasures -- 135 items -- were displayed at the National Treasures of Japan exhibition at the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts. The exhibition featured treasures that are representative of Japanese art history and mentioned in school textbooks, such as "Deep Vessel with Flame-Style Pottery" from the Jomon period, which was excavated in Tokamachi, Niigata prefecture, and the seated Ganjin Wajo statue, a masterpiece sculpture of the highly ranked monk owned by Toshodaiji temple in Nara. The paintings of birds and flowers on fusuma room partitions by Kano Eitoku, a painter of the Azuchi-Momoyama period (late 16th century), were ink wash paintings and part of a series of paintings at Jukoin temple in Kyoto. Eitoku used ink lines of varying sizes to depict a huge old plum tree twisting and turning, creating a spring scene full of life on the four fusuma partitions displayed at the museum. A variety of treasures, including writings and swords, were exhibited with national treasures that have been repaired with financial assistance from the Tsumugu Project, a joint undertaking by the Cultural Affairs Agency, Imperial Household Agency and The Yomiuri Shimbun. They included "Bound Fan Papers with the 'Lotus Sutra'" from Shitennoji temple in Osaka, which depicts the lives of nobles and commoners and is a copy of the Lotus Sutra, and the "Fugen Bosatsu (Samantabhadra)" owned by the Tokyo National Museum, a work considered one of the greatest masterpieces of Buddhist painting. The Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts reopened in March after undergoing a major renovation, in which work was done to lower the display stands and reduce reflections on the glass cases. "We have taken great care to make the works easier to view," said museum director Sakae Naito. The exhibition didn't have a specific theme; instead, it was meant to provide visitors with an opportunity to enjoy the richness of Japanese art more freely in a better environment. Eitoku's masterpiece "Chinese Lions," which is owned by the Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan, and the dogu figurine known as "Jomon Venus" excavated in Chino, Nagano prefecture, were displayed. Ogata Korin's masterpiece "Irises" of the Nezu Museum in Tokyo was also exhibited. Nara exhibition on Buddhist, Shinto art The Nara National Museum in Nara, which specializes in Buddhist art, held an exhibition titled "Oh! Kokuho: Resplendent Treasures of Devotion and Heritage," focusing on Buddhist and Shinto art. The exhibition, held to celebrate the museum's 130th anniversary, featured about 140 artworks, including 112 national treasures. Exhibits included "Standing Kannon Bosatsu (Sk. Avalokitesvara; also known as Kudara Kannon)" from Horyuji temple in Nara prefecture, which was created during the Asuka period (592-710) and is one of Japan's earliest wooden sculptures, and "Seated Dainichi Nyorai" by Unkei, which is owned by Enjoji temple in Nara. Buddhist statues mainly from the Kansai region and those as far as from Tokyo and Hiroshima prefecture were also displayed. The dignified expression and posture of the finely sculpted "Seated Bosatsu with One Leg Pendant" from Hobodai-in Gantokuji temple in Kyoto created a tense atmosphere. The exhibition also displayed "Seven-Pronged Sword" of Isonokami Jingu shrine in Nara prefecture, an iron sword from the Kofun period with six branch blades, as well as Buddhist paintings and sumi ink writings, allowing visitors to trace how different religions gained acceptance by people and how they have changed. "Seated Bodhisattva with One Leg Pendant" from Chuguji temple in Nara prefecture and other artworks were also exhibited. Kyoto exhibition on cultural exchange The Kyoto National Museum's special exhibition "Japan, an Artistic Melting Pot" shed light on cross-cultural exchanges and Japanese art. The exhibition traced this history with about 200 artworks, including 19 national treasures and 53 important cultural properties. Among them was "Wind God and Thunder God Screens" by Tawaraya Sotatsu, a national treasure owned by Kenninji temple in Kyoto. World expositions can be viewed as an example of cross-cultural exchange. The Meiji government compiled the first Western-style history of Japanese art, consisting of works it wanted to show to the world, to coincide with Japan's participation in the Expo 1900 Paris. This exhibition displayed some of the works listed in the book, including the dotaku bell-shaped bronze, an important cultural property that was excavated in Yasu, Shiga prefecture. Exhibits also included the ukiyo-e woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai "Under the Wave off Kanagawa" from the series "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji," which is also popular in the West, as well as Buddhist statues, landscape drawings, paintings of flowers and birds, which indicate Japan's exchanges with East Asia, and ceramics.
Yomiuri Shimbun
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Over 260 Japanese National Treasures Featured at Special Exhibitions in Osaka, Nara, Kyoto Held to Coincide with Expo 2025
OSAKA — With the occasion of the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, art galleries and museums throughout the Kansai region held special exhibitions, displaying Japan's finest pieces and putting new spins on them, with three museums in Osaka, Nara and Kyoto recently exhibiting national treasures. More than 260 national treasures, or about 30% of all the national treasures in the country excluding structures, were displayed, providing a rare opportunity to view a large number of masterpieces. 135 national treasures in OsakaThe largest number of national treasures — 135 items — were displayed at the National Treasures of Japan exhibition at the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts. The exhibition featured treasures that are representative of Japanese art history and mentioned in school textbooks, such as 'Deep Vessel with Flame-Style Pottery' from the Jomon period, which was excavated in Tokamachi, Niigata Prefecture, and the seated Ganjin Wajo statue, a masterpiece sculpture of the highly ranked monk owned by Toshodaiji temple in Nara. The paintings of birds and flowers on fusuma room partitions by Kano Eitoku, a painter of the Azuchi-Momoyama period (late 16th century), were ink wash paintings and part of a series of paintings at Jukoin temple in Kyoto. Eitoku used ink lines of varying sizes to depict a huge old plum tree twisting and turning, creating a spring scene full of life on the four fusuma partitions displayed at the museum. A variety of treasures, including writings and swords, were exhibited with national treasures that have been repaired with financial assistance from the Tsumugu Project, a joint undertaking by the Cultural Affairs Agency, Imperial Household Agency and The Yomiuri Shimbun. They included 'Bound Fan Papers with the 'Lotus Sutra'' from Shitennoji temple in Osaka, which depicts the lives of nobles and commoners and is a copy of the Lotus Sutra, and the 'Fugen Bosatsu (Samantabhadra)' owned by the Tokyo National Museum, a work considered one of the greatest masterpieces of Buddhist painting. The Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts reopened in March after undergoing a major renovation, in which work was done to lower the display stands and reduce reflections on the glass cases. 'We have taken great care to make the works easier to view,' said museum director Sakae Naito. The exhibition didn't have a specific theme; instead, it was meant to provide visitors with an opportunity to enjoy the richness of Japanese art more freely in a better environment. Eitoku's masterpiece 'Chinese Lions,' which is owned by the Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan, and the dogu figurine known as 'Jomon Venus' excavated in Chino, Nagano Prefecture, were displayed. Ogata Korin's masterpiece 'Irises' of the Nezu Museum in Tokyo was also exhibited. Nara exhibition on Buddhist, Shinto art The Nara National Museum in Nara, which specializes in Buddhist art, held an exhibition titled 'Oh! Kokuho: Resplendent Treasures of Devotion and Heritage,' focusing on Buddhist and Shinto art. The exhibition, held to celebrate the museum's 130th anniversary, featured about 140 artworks, including 112 national treasures. Exhibits included 'Standing Kannon Bosatsu (Sk. Avalokitesvara; also known as Kudara Kannon)' from Horyuji temple in Nara Prefecture, which was created during the Asuka period (592-710) and is one of Japan's earliest wooden sculptures, and 'Seated Dainichi Nyorai' by Unkei, which is owned by Enjoji temple in Nara. Buddhist statues mainly from the Kansai region and those as far as from Tokyo and Hiroshima Prefecture were also displayed. The dignified expression and posture of the finely sculpted 'Seated Bosatsu with One Leg Pendant' from Hobodai-in Gantokuji temple in Kyoto created a tense atmosphere. The exhibition also displayed 'Seven-Pronged Sword' of Isonokami Jingu shrine in Nara Prefecture, an iron sword from the Kofun period with six branch blades, as well as Buddhist paintings and sumi ink writings, allowing visitors to trace how different religions gained acceptance by people and how they have changed. 'Seated Bodhisattva with One Leg Pendant' from Chuguji temple in Nara Prefecture and other artworks were also exhibited. The Yomiuri Shimbun'Standing Kannon Bosatsu (Sk. Avalokiteshvara; also known as Kudara Kannon),' owned by Horyuji temple in Nara Prefecture, exhibited at the Nara National Museum in NaraThe Yomiuri Shimbun'Seated Bosatsu with One Leg Pendant,' owned by Hobodai-in Gantokuji temple in Kyoto, exhibited at the Nara National Museum in NaraKyoto exhibition on cultural exchange The Kyoto National Museum's special exhibition 'Japan, an Artistic Melting Pot' shed light on cross-cultural exchanges and Japanese art. The exhibition traced this history with about 200 artworks, including 19 national treasures and 53 important cultural properties. Among them was 'Wind God and Thunder God Screens' by Tawaraya Sotatsu, a national treasure owned by Kenninji temple in Kyoto. World expositions can be viewed as an example of cross-cultural exchange. The Meiji government compiled the first Western-style history of Japanese art, consisting of works it wanted to show to the world, to coincide with Japan's participation in the Expo 1900 Paris. This exhibition displayed some of the works listed in the book, including the dotaku bell-shaped bronze, an important cultural property that was excavated in Yasu, Shiga Prefecture. Exhibits also included the ukiyo-e woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai 'Under the Wave off Kanagawa' from the series 'Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji,' which is also popular in the West, as well as Buddhist statues, landscape drawings, paintings of flowers and birds, which indicate Japan's exchanges with East Asia, and ceramics.
Economic Times
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Mukul Dev passes away: Late actor was battling loneliness after parent's death, says close friend Vindu Dara Singh
Agencies Late actor Mukul Dev faced immense loneliness after his parent's demise says friend Vindu Dara Singh. The film and television world was plunged into sorrow as news spread of actor Mukul Dev's unexpected passing in New Delhi. At just 54 years old, the seasoned performer, celebrated for his wide-ranging portrayals in cinema and television, left a void that reverberated across the entertainment industry. His sudden demise stunned colleagues, friends, and admirers, sparking an outpouring of grief. Actor and close friend Vindu Dara Singh, who had shared screen space with Mukul in Son of Sardaar, revealed that Mukul had been silently enduring emotional turmoil. 'After the death of his parents, Mukul had withdrawn into himself. He had put on weight and was battling loneliness. Though he had a daughter, she wasn't staying with him. He was making his comeback with Son of Sardaar 2, but the sad part is he won't be there to see it. It's very tragic news,' he told ETimes. Mukul had always been vocal about the deep emotional connection he shared with his parents. His father, Hari Dev, a respected Assistant Commissioner of Police, passed away in 2019, a loss that seemed to deeply unmoor him. In a revealing 2020 interview with journalist Nandini Sen, Mukul confessed his internal struggles, admitting that he had yet to find inner tranquility. 'I've not learned how to be completely at peace with my surroundings,' he said honestly. 'True peace allows you to see things as they are—that's when enlightenment happens. Relationships test that peace more than anything else.'In various conversations, Mukul often reflected on the wisdom and courage his father had imparted. Speaking to Spotboye, he recalled how their father once hoped both he and his brother would join the police force. 'He taught us valuable life lessons,' Mukul said. A particularly striking memory came up in an Eastern Eye interview, where he remembered his father receiving a bravery medal after single-handedly calming a mob that had encircled a police station in Daryaganj. 'He saved lives that day. That moment is etched in my memory forever,' he shared with mother, too, played an essential role in shaping his soul. She introduced him to the spiritual teachings of Buddhism and the Lotus Sutra, which remained a source of strength for him. During the pandemic, he recalled with fondness how her homemade Punjabi meals brought comfort during the lonely days of isolation. Her unwavering support was legendary in his eyes. 'Whatever I do, my mother believes I do it well. She even says I'm better than Shri Amitabh Bachchan,' he had said with a laugh. On Instagram last year, he had posted a touching tribute to her: 'Souls we all are… always meeting you on the other side. Will miss you until then, Ma.'In the early 2000s, when his career in films slowed down, Mukul found a second wind in television. Shows like Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki and Pyar Zindagi Hai helped him reconnect with audiences. Speaking to Hindustan Times, he credited television with reviving his professional life. He later ventured into Punjabi, Telugu, and Bengali cinema, finding notable acclaim in Punjabi films. 'Punjab is in my blood,' he once remarked, citing his childhood years in Patiala and his family roots near brother, actor Rahul Dev, confirmed Mukul's passing through a heartfelt Instagram post. 'Our brother Mukul Dev passed away peacefully last night in New Delhi. He is survived by his daughter, Sia Dev, and mourned by siblings Rashmi Kaushal, Rahul Dev, and nephew Sidhant Dev. Cremation at 5 PM.'The legacy of Mukul Dev will live on—in the roles he brought to life, the people he touched, and the quiet courage with which he faced life's hardest moments.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Mukul Dev passes away: Late actor was battling loneliness after parent's death, says close friend Vindu Dara Singh
The film and television world was plunged into sorrow as news spread of actor Mukul Dev 's unexpected passing in New Delhi. At just 54 years old, the seasoned performer, celebrated for his wide-ranging portrayals in cinema and television, left a void that reverberated across the entertainment industry. His sudden demise stunned colleagues, friends, and admirers, sparking an outpouring of grief. Actor and close friend Vindu Dara Singh , who had shared screen space with Mukul in Son of Sardaar, revealed that Mukul had been silently enduring emotional turmoil. 'After the death of his parents, Mukul had withdrawn into himself. He had put on weight and was battling loneliness. Though he had a daughter, she wasn't staying with him. He was making his comeback with Son of Sardaar 2 , but the sad part is he won't be there to see it. It's very tragic news,' he told ETimes. Mukul had always been vocal about the deep emotional connection he shared with his parents. His father, Hari Dev, a respected Assistant Commissioner of Police, passed away in 2019, a loss that seemed to deeply unmoor him. In a revealing 2020 interview with journalist Nandini Sen, Mukul confessed his internal struggles, admitting that he had yet to find inner tranquility. 'I've not learned how to be completely at peace with my surroundings,' he said honestly. 'True peace allows you to see things as they are—that's when enlightenment happens. Relationships test that peace more than anything else.' In various conversations, Mukul often reflected on the wisdom and courage his father had imparted. Speaking to Spotboye, he recalled how their father once hoped both he and his brother would join the police force. 'He taught us valuable life lessons,' Mukul said. A particularly striking memory came up in an Eastern Eye interview, where he remembered his father receiving a bravery medal after single-handedly calming a mob that had encircled a police station in Daryaganj. 'He saved lives that day. That moment is etched in my memory forever,' he shared with pride. Mukul's mother, too, played an essential role in shaping his soul. She introduced him to the spiritual teachings of Buddhism and the Lotus Sutra, which remained a source of strength for him. During the pandemic, he recalled with fondness how her homemade Punjabi meals brought comfort during the lonely days of isolation. Her unwavering support was legendary in his eyes. 'Whatever I do, my mother believes I do it well. She even says I'm better than Shri Amitabh Bachchan,' he had said with a laugh. On Instagram last year, he had posted a touching tribute to her: 'Souls we all are… always meeting you on the other side. Will miss you until then, Ma.' In the early 2000s, when his career in films slowed down, Mukul found a second wind in television. Shows like Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki and Pyar Zindagi Hai helped him reconnect with audiences. Speaking to Hindustan Times, he credited television with reviving his professional life. He later ventured into Punjabi, Telugu, and Bengali cinema, finding notable acclaim in Punjabi films. 'Punjab is in my blood,' he once remarked, citing his childhood years in Patiala and his family roots near Jalandhar. His brother, actor Rahul Dev, confirmed Mukul's passing through a heartfelt Instagram post. 'Our brother Mukul Dev passed away peacefully last night in New Delhi. He is survived by his daughter, Sia Dev, and mourned by siblings Rashmi Kaushal, Rahul Dev, and nephew Sidhant Dev. Cremation at 5 PM.' The legacy of Mukul Dev will live on—in the roles he brought to life, the people he touched, and the quiet courage with which he faced life's hardest moments.
Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Mukul Dev wasn't at peace after father's passing, relied on mother during period of isolation
Actor Mukul Dev, who passed away last night in New Delhi, has left the film and television industry, and his many well-wishers, shocked and heartbroken. The 54-year-old actor was known for his versatile roles across cinema and television, and his untimely death has cast a shadow of grief. Close friend and co-star Vindu Dara Singh, who worked with Mukul in films like Son of Sardaar, opened up about the actor's recent struggles. 'After the death of his parents, Mukul had withdrawn into himself. He had put on weight and was battling loneliness. Though he had a daughter, she wasn't staying with him. He was making his comeback with Son of Sardaar 2, but the sad part is he won't be there to see it. It's very tragic news,' Vindu told ETimes. Mukul shared a deep bond with his parents, and spoke about them often in his interviews. His father, Hari Dev, a respected Assistant Commissioner of Police, passed away in 2019. In a 2020 interview with journalist Nandini Sen, Mukul had candidly admitted that he hadn't found peace within himself. 'I have not really mastered the art of being at peace with everything happening around me,' he said. 'They say that when you are at peace with everything, you start seeing things as they are… that's when you are enlightened. Relationships are a sure-fire test of that.' In a conversation with Spotboye, Mukul spoke at length about the influence his father had on his life and career. 'My father instilled many good qualities in both of us. For a long time, he wanted both of us to join the Indian Police Service, but we chose our own paths,' he said. One of his most vivid memories was of his father's bravery, in a conversation with Eastern Eye: 'I will never forget my father receiving gallantry awards for his courage. There was one particular award he received for saving an entire police station in Daryaganj, which was surrounded and about to be set on fire. He went there alone, managed the mob, and was honoured with a gallantry award for that. That's something I remember very well.' Also Read | Mukul Dev, the versatile actor who turned to TV after being abandoned by Bollywood: 'My career was in a lurch…' Mukul was equally vocal about the spiritual strength he drew from his mother. In several interviews, he credited her for introducing him to Buddhism, the Lotus Sutra, and the Mystic Law. During the pandemic, he shared fond memories of eating his mother's home-cooked Punjabi food, one of the few comforts during a period of personal isolation. Speaking about her unwavering support, Mukul once said: 'Meri mother ko toh jo bhi main karta hoon achha lagta hai. Unko lagta hai ki main Shri Amitabh Bachchan se bhi achha hoon.' (Whatever I do, my mother thinks it's good. She believes I'm even better than Shri Amitabh Bachchan.) He had also once shared an Instagram post last year remembering his mother, saying, 'Souls we all are, always meeting you on the other side. Will miss you until then, Ma.' Shared post on Time His brother, actor Rahul Dev, confirmed the news of his passing on Instagram, posting an emotional message: 'Our brother Mukul Dev passed away peacefully at New Delhi last night… He's survived by his daughter, Sia Dev. Missed by siblings Rashmi Kaushal, Rahul Dev, and nephew Sidhant Dev. Cremation at 5 PM.'
