Two New Exhibits At Morikami

The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is presenting two new immersive exhibits —"Japanese Roof Tiles” and “Zodiac Animals” — exploring Japanese art, tradition and culture.

In the Kohnken Gallery, the 12 Asian zodiac animals come to life through origami, toys, prints, votives, statuary, carvings and papier-mâché. A menagerie of real and mythical creatures, the “Zodiac Animals” exhibit explores the vibrancy and history of the Chinese lunar cycle.

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Every year is assigned an animal and one of five elements — water, fire, earth, metal or wood. A full cycle of the Zodiac spans 60 years, making one full turn a momentous and symbolic occasion in East Asian tradition.

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In the Yamato-kan museum, an extraordinary selection from the Morikami Museum Collection showcases “Japanese Roof Tiles” that trace their origins to 7th century Japan.

Functional yet distinct, these tiles, or kawara, were initially reserved for Buddhist temples until the mid-to-late 8th century. Later, they became a staple of residential and public architecture for their elegance, fire-resistant nature and ability to withstand rain and snow.

After shaping clay into molds, the roof tiles were left to dry then polished to bring out a unique shine and luster. Once fired in a kiln, carbon particles attached themselves to the clay, giving the kawara their characteristic smoky gray color.

The tiles feature designs that incorporate folklore motifs, charms for good fortune or protection against demons and bad spirits. To date, there are more than 1,000 varieties of kawara in use.

The exhibits are on display until Nov. 30.

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is located at 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach. For more information, visit morikami.org.