Hirayama Ikuo (1930-2009) was a Japanese painter who traveled along the Silk Road, the path of the arrival of Buddhism, in search of the origin of Japanese culture. This prominent painter left a number of masterpieces featuring peace. He is also known for his vigorous activities to protect the world’s cultural heritages.

In the Heisei period (1989-2019), Hirayama was attracted to Nara, the eastern terminus of the Silk Road, and Kyoto, and regained his focus on the temples and shrines in the old capitals. In the early stage of this period, Hirayama chose the Phoenix Hall of Byodoin Temple for his genuine masterpiece. He visited Byodoin Temple a number of times and enthusiastically praised the reflected image of the Phoenix Hall on the surface of the Aji-ike Pond as being like a scene of the Buddhist Pure Land.

2021 marks the celebratory 20^th anniversary since the Byodoin Hosho-kan Museum opened as well as the 13th anniversary of the artist’s death. In such a commemorative year, this special exhibition has been successfully organized with the full cooperation of the Hirayama Ikuo Silk Road Museum. Having “A Vision of the Pure Land: Byodo-in Temple in Uji” as a center piece, the exhibition displays other drafts and a sketch of the seated Amida Nyorai. The repeated and layered lines as well as the shapes of the drafts and sketches attest to the artist’s trials and errors, which directly convey his intentions and thoughts for his artworks. Feel the prayers that Hirayama put into his paintings at Byodoin Temple, the embodiment of the Buddhist Pure Land.

Exhibition period: October 9th (Sat.), 2021 to February 9th (Wed.), 2022 *Open everyday

*Open every day during the exhibition period.

Hours: 9:00-17:00 (Hosho-kan Museum)

Admission: Adults 600 yen, Junior High or High School Students 400 yen, Elementary School Students 300 yen (Additional fee will be required to enter Byodoin Temple)

Hosted by: Byodoin Temple, Hirayama Ikuo Silk Road Museum

Venue: Byodoin Hosho-kan Museum (116 Uji Renge, Uji, Kyoto)

｢A Vision of the Pure Land: Byodo-in Temple in Uji」 2005　Possessed by Hirayama Ikuo Silk Road Museum.

｢Draft of the Phoenix Hall (Byodo-in Temple in Uji)」 1989　Possessed by Hirayama Ikuo Silk Road Museum.