Japan savors charm of embroidery Thangka art

For the first time, the 86 embroidered thangkas and nine gilt bronze Buddhist statues from the Ming and Qing dynasties on display are being exhibited outside of China.

"These artworks not only represent the cultural exchange between China and Japan but also highlight the mutual influence and acceptance of different cultures across Asia," said Li.

"We remain committed to transforming collections into exhibitions and using cultural relics to pass down traditions, deepening cultural and artistic exchanges and cooperation between the two nations," he added.

Thangka, a traditional Tibetan art form known for its distinct ethnic identity and artistic beauty, was among the first to be included in China's National Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2006.

Chen Lihua, former deputy director of the Palace Museum in Beijing, said: "The nearly 100 embroidered thangkas from Li's collection showcased in this exhibition were meticulously crafted using various traditional Chinese techniques such as embroidery and kesi, an ancient Chinese silk weaving technique. The works possess both immense artistic and aesthetic value. While the exhibition only offers a small glimpse of embroidered thangkas, it reveals the richness and diversity of this unique art form."