The Great Terracotta Army of China's First Emperor

July 5 - October 2, 2016

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　Approximately 2,200 years ago, Qin Shi Huang appointed himself as China's first emperor and established a unified dynasty on the Chinese mainland. "The Terracotta Army," which was buried underground in great quantities in the vicinity of his vast mausoleum, was one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Since its first excavation in 1974, new and astonishing findings have been made one after the other.

　This exhibition, taking into consideration the latest findings from excavations, will display precious cultural assets related to Qin Shi Huang in one sweep. It aims to show the overwhelming vigor of the terracotta warriors and horses, which show great variety, and that of other works which only a person with absolute power could create. The exhibition also attempts to uncover the mystery of the "eternal world" that Qin Shi Huang constructed on an unprecedented scale around his mausoleum, and which extended underground.

  • Organized by The National Museum of Art, Osaka / Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau / Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center / NHK Osaka Staition / NHK PlanNet, Inc. Kinki Branch Office / The Asahi Shimbun
  • With the Support of Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Japan
  • With the Sponsorship of Embassy of Nozaki Insatsu Shigyo Co., Ltd. / Daikin Industries, Ltd. / Takenaka Corporation
  • With the Assistance of ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS CO., LTD / Daikin Foundation for Contemporary Arts

Works

| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |

Bronze zhong bell with “Qin Gong” inscription
Spring and Autumn period; 8th–5th century BC
Baoji Bronze Ware Museum
© Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center

Jade sword and gold scabbard
Spring and Autumn period; 8th–7th century BC
Hancheng Municipal Liangdai Cemetary Site Institution of Cultual Relics Conservation and Archaeology
© Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center

From left in the upper row, Pottery water inlet fixture, Pottery L-shaped water pipe, Pottery water pipe
Warring States period–Qin dynasty; 3rd century BC
Qin Xianyang Palace Site Museum
© Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center

Fragment of stucco mural with scene of horses and carriage
Warring States period–Qin dynasty; 3rd century BC
Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology
© Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center

Colored bronze chariot, No.1 (Replica)
(Original) Qin dynasty; 3rd century BC
Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum
© Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center,
Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum

Colored bronze chariot, No.2 (Replica)
(Original) Qin dynasty; 3rd century BC
Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum
© Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center,
Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum

Colored pottery mounted figure on horse
Warring States period; 4th–3rd century BC
Xianyang Municipal Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
© Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center

Pottery figure of general
Qin dynasty, 3rd century BC
Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum
© Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center,
Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum

Pottery figure of standing archer
Qin dynasty, 3rd century BC
Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum
© Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center,
Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum

Pottery figure of kneeling archer
Qin dynasty, 3rd century BC
Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum
© Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center,
Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum

Pottery figure of infantryman
Qin dynasty, 3rd century BC
Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum
© Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center,
Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum

Pottery figure of military officer
Qin dynasty, 3rd century BC
Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum
© Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center,
Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum

Admission

Opening Hours

10:00-17:00 (10:00-19:00 on Fridays)
*Last entry 30 minutes before closing.

Closed

Mondays except July 18, September 19, 2016.

Admission Fee

Adults: 1,500(1,300) yen
University students: 1,200(1,000) yen
High school students: 600(500) yen

  • *( ) admission for advance purchase and groups of more than 20 people.
  • *Children(up to Junior high school students), disabled people with one attendant : Free.
  • *Including "Collection 2".
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