The location of the city of Munakata, on the coast of northern Kyushu and close to Oshima and Okinoshima islands, helped it become a historical cultural hub that welcomed incoming crafts shipped from Korea, China and Persia.
This exhibition showcases a selection of works from around 80,000 national treasures, many originally from other countries, that were excavated during archaeological digs in Okinoshima. Now part of the Munakata Shrine collection, items on show include 62 votive offerings from the fourth to the ninth century, two of which are being displayed outside of the shrine's museum for the first time.
In addition to the Korean, Chinese, Persian and other works, 106 paintings and calligraphic works related to Okinoshima, such as those by Sengai and Shikijo Hoshi, will be displayed; Aug. 16-Oct. 13.
Idemitsu Museum of Arts; 9F Teigeki Bldg., 3-1-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. Yurakucho Stn. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Fri. till 7 p.m.). ¥1,000. Closed Mon. 03-5777-8600; www.idemitsu.co.jp/museum