[ From the NY Times, AOL On-line Edition ]



  Treasures from Ancient Edo in Washington



  Japan, 1615-1868: For the first time in centuries, the

country was united under the Tokugawa shoguns, who

governed during a period of unprecedented peace and

prosperity from their new capital, Edo, which grew into

the world's largest city in the 18th century and is now

Tokyo.



  Art flourished, too. Now nearly 300 painted scrolls,

screens, costumes, ceremonial armor, sculpture,

ceramics, lacquerware and woodblock prints from this

rich period, drawn from 75 public and private Japanese

collections, will be on view from Sunday to Feb. 15 at

the National Gallery of Art in Washington. "Edo: Art in

Japan 1615-1868" is the first comprehensive survey in

the United States of Edo period art. Many pieces are

National Treasures that have never before left Japan.

Some are sensitive to light, and will be rotated,

between Jan. 6 and 12.



  To establish the tone of high style and buoyant

spirits characteristic of Edo art, the exhibition will

open with a display of gold lacquerware, embroidered and

painted kimonos and a section of colorful gold-leaf

screens that define the period's esthetics. One screen,

Sakai Hoitsu's "Spring and Autumn Maples," has never

before been exhibited, even in Japan. Next come samurai

rooms, showing the peaceful arts created for the warrior

class; a work section, with images of urban and rural

occupations; a religion area, with works illustrating

Buddhist and Shinto beliefs; a travel and landscape

area, focusing on paintings of beautiful sites, and

entertainment galleries, with works depicting

fashionable actors, sumo wrestlers and geisha as well as

bold costumes.



  To complete the picture of daily life during the Edo

period, the National Gallery has scheduled a free

performing-arts festival in and around the museum

throughout November. Festival dancers will perform a

lion dance, firemen-acrobats will present a traditional

fire-safety ceremony, and actors will explain Kabuki and

other traditional performing arts.



  The National Gallery, Fourth Street and Constitution

Avenue, N.W., is open daily. Admission is free, but

passes for the exhibition will be required on weekends,

holidays, the Friday after Thanksgiving and the week

following Christmas.



  Advance passes can be obtained at the National Gallery

(no fee) or at Ticketmaster locations ($2 per pass).

Passes may be obtained from Ticketmaster, (800)

551-7328, outside the Washington area, for $2.75 per

pass and $1.25 per order.



  A limited number of same-day passes will be available

at the Gallery's East Building on a first-come,

first-served basis; (202) 737-4215 or http://www.nga.gov.



    -- JUDITH H. DOBRZYNSKI