World Culture Galleries

Prince Takamado Gallery of Japan

Level 1, Philosophers’ Walk Wing
Located near the main entrance of the Museum’s 1914 building, this attractive space now displays many of the ROM’s Japanese objects, including porcelain, religious sculpture, tea ceremony objects, prints, paintings, lacquer and armour. The ROM holds the largest collection of Japanese art in Canada.

Four sections are devoted to Japanese pictorial arts, featuring Ukiyo-e prints, scroll paintings, albums and multi-paneled folding screens. A stunning selection of prints by 18th- and 19th-century masters such as Harunobu, Utamaro, Hokusai and Hiroshige are on display in the Toyota Canada Inc. Exhibit of Ukiyo-e Pictures. Hanging scrolls and hand scrolls are on display in the Sony Exhibit of Painting.

The Canon Canada Inc. Samurai Exhibit offers a glimpse of the unique culture of the samurai warrior through a display of Japanese armour, swords, sword ornaments, horse armour, trappings and helmets.

A gallery highlight is a collection of tea objects on display in the Mitsui & Co. Canada Tea Ceremony Exhibit. Many are drawn from the Yamagami collection, the most complete tea master’s set in any North American museum. A series of beautifully decorated writing boxes, picnic kits and smoking sets are on display in the Maple Leaf Foods Exhibit of Lacquers.

The Linamar Corporation Exhibit of Ceramics features popular Japanese porcelain (Hizen ware), finely detailed and vividly coloured Kyoto and Satsuma earthenwares, and a selection of modern ceramics, dating from the 15th century to the present.

Wood, lacquer and clay sculptures, dating to as early as the 7th century, are on display in an exhibit generously supported by an anonymous caring company.

The gallery is named in memory of Prince Takamado (1954 - 2002), who was known in his native Japan as "Canada’s Prince". The gallery celebrates his attachment to Canada and creates a lasting link beween the two countries.

SAMURAI WARRIOR ARMOUR The Samurai of Japan were mighty warriors with beautiful armour, swords, and complex codes of honour. This Samurai armour dates from the 17th century. See more TOP 10 FAVOURITES (PDF)