TOKYO, JAPAN.- The Tokyo National Museum presents "Masterpieces of the Museum Island, Berlin
-Visions of the Divine in the Sanctuary of Art," on view through Sunday, June 12, 2005. Masterpieces of the Museum Island, Berlin -Visions of the Divine in the Sanctuary of Art is one of the highlight cultural events of the "Germany in Japan 2005/2006" celebrations. The year 2005 is not only the year the governments of Japan and Germany launch the "Germany in Japan 2005/2006" program but it also marks the 15th anniversary of the reunification of Germany.

This exhibition will be the first in the world to showcase the reunified collection of Berlin's Museum Island- a World Heritage landmark that is presently undergoing extensive refurbishment and reconstruction. It will present approximately 160 select artworks to convey the essence of the cultural landmark's future image.
The artworks, from ancient to modern era, are linked by the underlining theme "Visions of the Divine"-an artistic journey through mankind's imagery of the divine complimenting the overall message of celebrating the creation of this monumental "sanctuary of art".

Indeed, Masterpieces of the Museum Island, Berlin -Visions of the Divine in the Sanctuary of Art with its masterpieces, many of them shown for the first time outside Germany, will give us the rare opportunity to preview the rebirth of Berlin's Museum Island, here in Tokyo.