Mokujiki who was born in Minobu town, Yamanashi prefecture in 1718 in the Edo period, became a monk at the age of 22. And, he went out to the trip of pilgrimage at the age of 56. The age of 56 was advanced age at that time. Until he passed away at the age of 93, he carved over 1,000 wooden figure images in many places in Japan to save ordinary people. These are well known as "MISYOBUTSU", which means smiling Buddha. Because many of the wooden figure which he carved had a unique smile. Even now, his style with full of humane touch attracts many people.
In this exhibition, we display 80 Buddha statues, 17 drawing and documents of Soetsu Yanagi related from all over Japan, to celebrate Mokujiki's 300th birthday.

【日本語訳】
　1718年、江戸時代に山梨県身延町に生まれた木喰は、22才で僧となった後、当時としては高齢である56才で巡礼の旅に出発します。93年の生涯を閉じるまで、庶民を救うために日本各地に1000体以上の像を彫り遺しました。木喰の彫った像の多くが独特の微笑みをたたえていることから、“微笑仏”の名で知られています。人間味あふれるその作風は、今なお多くの人々を魅了してやみません。
　本展では、木喰生誕300年を記念して、日本各地の神仏像80点・書画・柳宗悦関連資料17点を展示します。