The opening ceremony of the “Embroidery Thangka Art Exhibition: The Beauty of China’s Intangible Cultural Heritage” was held on Monday at the Kadokawa Culture Museum in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, Japan.
Showcasing about 100 exquisite embroidered thangkas, a traditional form of painting from the Himalayan cultures of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China, and gilt bronze Buddhist statues from the collection of Li Wei, chairman of Oriental Treasures (Beijing) Art Co. The exhibition serves as a vital platform for deepening cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Japan.
Hosted from Oct 2 to Oct 9, it is divided into four sections: the history and culture of thangka, the process of creating embroidered thangkas, their aesthetic and cultural significance, and the exchange of Buddhist and thangka art between China and Japan. Approximately 100 guests from various sectors in both countries attended the opening ceremony.
According to Li, the painted thangkas are known for their distinctive ethnic charm and artistic beauty. Embroidered thangkas, a secondary creation developed by the royal courts during the Ming and Qing dynasties, evolved over centuries and now include more than 10 different techniques.