Treasures of Japanese ways of faith on display

THE NATION
By Khetsirin Pholdhampalit
The evolution of Buddhist art in Japan is illustrated with sacred and historical statues, all part of an exhibition marking 130 years of diplomatic relations with Thailand.
Thailand shared its precious artifacts with Japan last year, and now it's our turn to see how Buddhism rose with the Rising Sun. More than 6,000 years of Japanese ways of life and religious beliefs are on view until February 18 at the National Museum Bangkok, in an exhibition that completes a long-planned cultural exchange between our countries. Like its predecessors – the “Land of Buddha” exhibitions of Thai artifacts that drew 200,000 visitors to museums in Tokyo and Kyushu – “The History of Japanese Art: Life and Faith” commemorates 130 years of diplomatic relations between the nations. [More]
A national treasure of Japan, this 11thcentury painting depicts the 16 arhats (perfected persons) of Buddhist lore.