Invitation – Visit to Rijksmuseum amsterdam/ Intrductin to the Japanse Collection

Dear JCC Members

The JCC, with the full cooperation of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, organizes ‘Visit of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam – An introduction to the Japanese Collection’.

We feel very honored that H.E. Mr Hiroshi Minami, Japanese Ambassador to the Netherlands will also join this event as a guest of honour.

Rembrandt, Vermeer … the collection of the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century is a must-see when visiting the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, but few people know that the museum has great Asian collection (more than 8000 pieces), including Japanese arts and crafts.

Mr Menno Fitski, Head of the Asian Art Section will give a presentation focusing on the Japanese collection.

 

The programme also includes an introduction to the heartwarming project behind the Asian Pavilion’s largest exhibit, the over two-metre statues of Niou (see above).

The Niou statues, (build in 14th century) was acquired by the Rijksmuseum in 2007 after it was stolen from Iwayadera Temple in Okuizumo-machi, Shimane Prefecture, and sold to an antique dealer in Kyoto. When it was unveiled at the museum’s reopening in 2013, a grand opening ceremony was held with 20 monks invited from Daikaku-ji Temple in Kyoto.

The Nio-Mon Project is currently underway, in which life-size Nio statues made by Delft blue tiles and return to the Iwayadera Temple. The National Museum Amsterdam and the Dutch Embassy in Tokyo are also supporting the project.

For more information, see the article in The Asahi Shinbun Globe + below. The project leader, Jikke van Loon, will give a detailed explanation of the project in the programme.

This is a unique opportunity to get acquainted with Japanese collections of Rijksmuseum ,which is located in Amsterdam approx. 9000 km away from Japan.

Please join this event with your colleagues, friends and family!

 

• Program
• Date: Friday 5 July, 14.00 – 17.00
• Language: English
• Number of participants: 50 (first-come, first-served)
• Application link: https://www.jcc-holland.nl/entry-form-rijksmuseum-visit-program-on-july-5-2024/

 

• Entrance fee: 22.50 euro for adults and free for 19 years or older and free for museum card holders and under 18s

 

• Programme

 

 13.30 – 14.00 Registration (Coffee/ tea, cookies etc. will be provided)
 14.00: Opening by JCC
 14.02: Speech Guest of honour: H.E. Mr Hiroshi Minami, Ambassador of Japan to the Netherlands
 14.05 – 14.35 Introduction to the Japanese collection – Mr Menno Fitski, Head of Asian Art, Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
 14.35 – 15.00 Introduction to the Nio-Mon Project Ms Jikke van Loon, Artist and Initiator of the Nio-Mon Project
 15.00 – 17.00 Museum free viewing (Mr Fitski and Ms van Loon are ready to answer your questions)

About the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Asian Pavilion

https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/visitor-information/inside-the-rijksmuseum/asian-pavilion

 

About the Nio-Mon Project

https://english.nio-mon.com/EN-People

 

Mystery of missing Nio statues Izumo’s ‘village treasures’ on display in the Netherlands – Mystery of people’s ties forged by strange fate

The Asahi Shimbun GLOBE+ (asahi.com)

https://globe.asahi.com/article/15144102