2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the sister-city partnership between Shanghai and Osaka. Commemorating this event, The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka has collaborated with the Shanghai Museum to organize a special exhibition titled “Resonating Treasures of Chinese Ceramics—Shanghai Museum X The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka.”
Since its opening in 1952, the Shanghai Museum has become a prominent institution in China, renowned for its impressive collection of Chinese artifacts. Notable works in this treasure trove include bronze vessels, ceramics, paintings, calligraphy, sculptures, jade works, and currency. The museum's ceramics collection is considered one of the finest in the world. The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka has fostered a friendly relationship with the Shanghai Museum through collaborative exhibitions and academic exchanges.
Celebrating this special anniversary of the two cities’ friendship, the Shanghai Museum will be presenting 50 masterpieces of Chinese ceramics, including 22 works to be shown in Japan for the first time. Among them, 19 works have never before been exhibited outside of China. We hope this exhibition will provide an opportunity to explore the essence of Chinese ceramics, which boasts a long and rich history, and to appreciate the beauty and ingenuity of these fascinating works that never stop inspiring viewers even today.

◉ Highlights of the Exhibition
1.22 works making their debut in Japan, 19 of them to be exhibited outside of China for the first time
Some of the Chinese ceramic works from the Shanghai Museum’s collection have been shown in past exhibitions outside of China, including Japan. Among the 50 works presented by the Shanghai Museum for this exhibition, however, 22 will be exhibited in Japan for the first time and 19 of them have never before been exhibited outside of China. 10 works are given the highest rank in China, the “national first-class cultural relics.” Viewers can enjoy an array of Chinese ceramic treasures produced from the Tang through the Qing dynasties.

2.A rare apple-green-glazed porcelain ware for the Qing dynasty court making its debut in Japan
The covered seal paste box, a national first-class cultural relic produced at the Jingdezhen imperial kiln during the Kangxi period of the Qing dynasty, will be exhibited for the first time in Japan, marking its international debut. Porcelain with a vivid red glaze known in the West as the “peach bloom” glaze can scarcely be found even among the Kangxi-era imperial wares as the tone was difficult to achieve. The peach bloom glaze on this porcelain work has a pale apple-green tone, achieved by the transformation that occurred from the flames inside the kiln. It partly displays a red blush, making this work a rare, exceptional example. Enjoy the interaction of the brilliant two colors, creating a world of profound beauty.

3.Latest academic findings—unveiling the mystery of the “blank period” in the Ming dynasty
The Shanghai Museum houses a significant number of excellent Jingdezhen porcelain from the Zhengtong, Jingtai, and Tianshun reigns (1436–1464) in the 15th century of the Ming dynasty. Recent research has re-evaluated these works produced during this time, which had long been believed to be the “black period” of imperial porcelain production. Gallery 7 will feature 14 works from this “blank period” in the Shanghai Museum collection. It will also showcase the blue-and-white porcelain bowl decorated with pine and bamboo motifs from our collection, which will be shown to the public for the first time.

4.A spectacular pageant of Chinese Ceramics—the Shanghai Museum Collection X The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka Collection
This gallery will showcase 24 works from the Shanghai Museum and 26 works from The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka. It will offer a unique opportunity to view the objects from the two collections together in one space. The array of exquisite Chinese ceramics from the Tang through the Qing dynasties will contain a profusion of must-see objects, including a Tang dynasty yong figurine of a lady, Ding white porcelain, konoha (leaf-pattern) tenmoku tea bowl, Cizhou ware, Ge ware, Ru ware, Southern Song Guan ware, and Ming imperial porcelain. Immerse yourself in the allure of Chinese ceramics under the ideal display environment updated in April, not to mention the world’s only natural light display room.

◉ Exhibition Content
Part 1 (Gallery 1)
The Quintessence of Art—Treasures of the Shanghai Museum (12 works from the Shanghai Museum Collection)
This gallery will showcase 12 exceptional works from the world’s leading Chinese ceramics collection of the Shanghai Museum, produced between the Yuan and the Qing dynasties. The exhibit will include 6 works making their overseas debut.

Part 2 (Gallery 7)
Re-illuminating the Treasures—Jingdezhen Porcelain of the Ming “Blank Period (Zhengtong, Jingtai, and Tianshun)” (14 works from the Shanghai Museum Collection, one work from The MOCO Collection)
This gallery will introduce the Jingdezhen porcelain of the Zhengtong, Jingtai, and Tianshun reigns (1436–1464), the era called the “blank period,” through 14 works from the Shanghai Museum Collection, including 8 works making its overseas debut, as well as one work from The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka, which will be shown to the public for the first time.

Part 3 (Galleries 9–11)
A Spectacular Collaboration I, II, III—Shanghai Museum X MOCO (24 works from the Shanghai Museum Collection, 26 works from The MOCO Collection)
These galleries will feature masterworks of Chinese ceramics from the Shanghai Museum and the MOCO collections, ranging from the Tang through the Ming dynasties. Viewers can explore the true beauty and charm of Chinese ceramics imbued in these exquisite works from the two collections gathered under one roof.