The folding screens open, and the glittering world of the phoenix appears. These imaginary birds, phoenixes, were painted on these screens about four hundred years ago. And now here’s your chance to explore the secrets of the phoenix. For example, try imitating the way a bird flaps its wings, and one secret will be revealed. But that’s not all. Let’s examine these phoenixes and discover other secrets, too.

“Cut glass” refers to glass cups, bowls, and other containers with motifs that have been cut into their surface. Transparent cut glass was made in the Edo period, about two hundred years ago, based on examples from Europe. When light strikes it, cut glass twinkles like stars. Let’s immerse ourselves in an intriguing cosmos surrounded by glittering cut glass.

The Treasures Room is filled with works of art with all sorts of treasure motifs. With all these auspicious treasures gathered together here, don’t you sense that good things are going to happen? People long ago painted all sorts of treasure motifs on their dishes, fabrics, and other things they used in daily life, to express their wishes for good fortune. What sorts of treasures are they? Pick up the treasure cushions in the big bowl and have a look. Surrounded by all these treasures, let’s relax and enjoy life!

Check out these ink-spray designs. They look as though ink has been sprayed and splattered to make them. How would you describe these unusual motifs? OK, now say that phrase, right into the microphone, and ink-spray designs in all sorts of colors and shapes will appear on that huge white saké bottle. Yes, it’s polite to speak softly in art museums, but today’s different. Shout it out!

About five hundred years ago, someone created The Mouse Story picture scrolls. They tell, in pictures and text, the amazing story of a mouse who marries a human princess. But handwriting from long ago is hard to make out; reading the scroll is no picnic. So let’s listen to the special audio guide. Put it to your ear, and you’ll hear the story being told and the mice’s voices. Listen to the story, look at the paintings, and you’ll find yourself entering the mouse universe at warp speed!

Please note:
●An English-language audio guide is not available.
●To understand the contents of the picture scrolls, please refer to the English explanatory panels provided with them.

Edo-period kimonos were utterly chic. Why not take a good look at the kimonos women wore long ago and the costumes that Noh actors wore on stage, then design your own? Use the touch panels to combine motifs and colors, pick out a figure to model it, and create your own unique kimono! Your design will then join the others on display.

*All the works are from the collection of Suntory Museum of Art.
*Taking photographs is OK.