Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited an exhibition of Chinese and Japanese masterpieces of calligraphy Wednesday afternoon in Tokyo.

 

The exhibition "Twin peaks: the finest of Chinese and Japanese calligraphy" shows the history of Chinese calligraphy. Around 190 pieces of masterpieces were exhibited in Tokyo National Museum, including the classic works of Wang Xizhi (Eastern Jin Dynasty) and Su Shi (Northern Song Dynasty) from China, as well as those of Kukai (Heian Period) and other masters from Japan.

 

The exhibition has attracted many Japanese visitors, said the officials of Tokyo National Museum.

 

About 50 pieces of the exhibited works are national treasures. Shanghai Museum of China provided some works of art to the show, which are from the ancient Song, Yuan or Tang Dynasty.

 

The exhibition, co-organized by Tokyo National Museum, Asahi Shimbun, TV Asahi and Shanghai Museum of China, lasts from January 11 to February 19.

 

These masterpieces of calligraphy from the two countries will be exhibited in Shanghai from March 13 to April 23.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2006)