temporary exhibition
How Masterpieces Are Born - Bibliotheca Apostolica Vaticana III +
Apr. 25, 2026 (Sat)–Jul. 20, 2026 (Mon-holiday)
10:00–18:00 (final admission: 17:30)
Reliving the history of human intellect through masterpieces
Throughout history, masterpieces have been created and passed down across a variety of fields. Initially written down by their disciples, the thoughts of masters were eventually compiled into handwritten manuscripts. However, the invention of printing in Late Medieval Europe revolutionized the communication of wisdom. Without exception, the wisdom of all great thinkers, from Socrates, Aristotle, and Euclid in ancient times to Galileo, Descartes, Newton, Swift, Nietzsche, and Sartre in the early modern era, came to us from letterpress printing and printmaking (illustration printing). The mass production made possible by the printing industry was a prerequisite for the dissemination of their seminal works, which have had a monumental impact, transcending time and borders.
How will masterpieces fare in the transition from paper to digital? How will humanity engage with them? We would be delighted if this exhibition sparked insights into the future.
Schedule
Apr. 25, 2026 (Sat)–Jul. 20, 2026 (Mon-holiday)
Closed
Mondays, May 7, 2026
*Open, however, on May 4, and July 20, 2026
Hours
10:00–18:00 (final admission: 17:30)
Admission
Adults: 1,000 yen
College students: 500 yen
High school students: 300 yen
*50 yen discount per person in groups of more than 20 people
*Junior high school students and younger / ages 70 and over: free
*Those with a disability certificate and their companion (one per certificate holder) can enter the Museum free of charge.
*Free admittance on Children’s Day, May 5
Organizer
Printing Museum, Tokyo, TOPPAN Holdings Inc. / Vatican Apostolic Library
Cooperation
Meisei University / Cross Philosophies, Ltd.
Support
Japan Bible Society / Social Communications Department, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan / Catholic Church Archdiocese of TOKYO
10:00–18:00 (final admission: 17:30)
Exhibitions and collections
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- Latest exhibition information
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- List of temporary exhibitions
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- General exhibition
- Here we introduce our general exhibition.
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- KOISHIKAWA XROSS Digital Museum
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- Collection hunting
- Here we introduce some of the artifacts from our collection.