1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Four major works of each period)

Four Major works of Each Period   Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 1, 2010 - December 5, 2010 Exhibiting: Dogu (Clay Figurine), From Kamegaoka, Kizukuri, Tsugaru-shi, Aomori, Jomon period, 1000 - 400BC (Important Cultural Property) Dotaku (Bell-Shaped Bronze), Design of Crossed Bands, Attributed provenance: Kagawa, Yayoi period, 2nd - 1st century BC(National Treasure) Dancing people (terra-cotta tomb figurine), from Nohara, Kumagaya-shi, Saitama, Kofun Period (on exhibit through October 17, 2010) Jar, with arabesque pattern, excavated from Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Heian period (Lent by Keio University, Tokyo, on exhibit through August 8, 2010) Three-color Glazed Urn with Cover, excavated from Ibaraki-shi, Osaka, Nara period, 8th century (Important Cultural Property, on exhibit from August 10, 2010)

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)

The Dawning of Japanese Culture  Paleolithic Period Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 1, 2010 - December 5, 2010 Including: Stone Tools, from Kannoki site, Shinano-machi, Nagano, 20,000 B.C. (Lent by Nagano Prefactural Museum of History) Polished Stone Axes, from Kannoki site, Shinano-machi, Nagano, 20,000 B.C. (Lent by Nagano Prefactural Museum of History)

The Independence of Japanese Culture  Jomon Period Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 1, 2010 - December 5, 2010 Dogu, clay plates, clay objects, etc. Including: Dogu (Clay Figurine), From Gobara, Higashiagatsuma, Gunma, Jomon period, 2000 - 1000 BC (Important Cultural Property, Private collection) Doban (Clay Tablet), From Inashiki-shi, Ibaraki, Jomon period, 1000 - 400BC (Important Cultural Property, Gift of Mr. Inoue Tsuneichi and Ms. Inoue Fumiko)

Becoming Part of the East Asian World  Yayoi Period I Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 1, 2010 - December 5, 2010 Pottery jars, urns(Cooking Pot), wood plows, etc. Including: Jar, from Asagiri-machi, Kumamoto, Yayoi period, 1st - 3rd century (Important Cultural Property, Private collection)

The Start of Political Society  Yayoi period II - Kofun period I Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 8, 2010 - December 12, 2010 Objects from Funahashi Tumulus, Kashiwara-shi and Fujiidera-shi, Osaka, Kofun period, 3rd century, etc.

The Emergence of the Yamato  Kofun period II Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 8, 2010 - December 12, 2010 Including: Mirror with hunting images, reportedly excavated from Hachimanbara-cho, Takasaki-shi, Gunma, Kofun period, 4th - 5th centur (Important Cultural Property)

The Five Kings of Yamato  Kofun period III Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 8, 2010 - December 12, 2010 Including: Iron Sword with inlaid silver inscription, excavated from Eta-Funayama Tumulus, Kumamoto, Kofun period, 5th - 6th century (National Treasure)

The Rise of Local Rulers  Kofun period IV Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 8, 2010 - December 12, 2010 Including: Horse bit with "f"-shaped cheek ornaments, excavated from Eta-Funayama Tumulus, Kumamoto, Kofun period, 5th - 6th century (National Treasure)

Culture from the Silk Road  Kofun period V Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 8, 2010 - December 12, 2010 Including: Cut glass bowl with round designs in relief, Iran, 6th century (Private collection)

From Tang to Nara and From Nara to the Rest of Japan  Nara period Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 29, 2010 - December 26, 2010 Including: Jar, With three color-glaze, excavated from China, Tang Dynasty, 8th century

Aristocrats of the Ritsuryo System  Heian Period Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 29, 2010 - December 26, 2010 Including: Green-glazed vase with handle, excavated from Fukaya-shi Saitama, Heian period, 10th century (Important Cultural Property, Lent by Fukaya-shi, Saitama)

The Rise of Warrior Class Culture  Late Heian - Muromachi period Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 29, 2010 - December 26, 2010 Including: Jar with four handles, white porcelain, excavated from Tateyama-shi, Chiba, Southern Song - Yuan dynasty, 13th - 14th century

The Flowering of Daimyo Culture  Azuchi-Momoyama - Edo period Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 29, 2010 - December 26, 2010 Including: Large Dish, Flowers design in overglaze enamels, Kakiemon type, Imari Ware, Edo period, 17th century

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)

Japanese Archaeology  Ancient Links between Humans and Animals: Bone and Antler Implements  Japanese Archaeology Gallery March 16, 2010 - September 12, 2010 >> detailed information This exhibition showing how ancient people hunted and fished, their spiritual beliefs, rituals and prayers into which bone and antler implements give us insight, and thus narrating the vital links between animals and ancient human cultures. Including: Harpoon Head, Antler, from Usosawa Shellmound, Otomo-cho, Rikuzentakada-shi, Iwate, Jomon period, 2000 - 400 BC (Gift of Mr. Tokugawa Yorisada) Fish Hook, form Kamegaoka, Kizukuri-machi, Tsugaru-shi, Aomori, Jomon period, 1000 - 400 BC (Gift of Mr. Tokugawa Yorisada) Ornament, Boar Canine Tooth, Jomon period, 2000 - 400 BC Ornament, Bear Canine Tooth, from Usosawa Shellmound, Otomo-cho, Rikuzentakada-shi, Iwate, Jomon period, 2000 - 400 BC (Gift of Mr. Tokugawa Yorisada)

Everyday Tools   Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 1, 2010 - December 5, 2010 Hunting tools and eating utensils of the Jomon period, including stone spears, fishhooks, and stone spoons.

Personal Accessories and Ritual Objects   Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 1, 2010 - December 5, 2010 Earrings and magatama jade of the Jomon period

Post Jomon Culture of Hokkaido   Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 1, 2010 - December 5, 2010 Earthenware, stone stools, magatama jade and small gems

Daily Tools of Yayoi   Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 1, 2010 - December 5, 2010 Stone axes, Stone knives, etc

Yayoi Tools and Accessories   Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 1, 2010 - December 5, 2010 Including: Magatama, Kudatama Beads, Yayoi period, 2nd - 1st century BC

Metalwork of the Yayoi Period   Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 1, 2010 - December 5, 2010 Bronze swords, bronze halberds and bronze bells

Ancient Chinese Mirrors from Japanese Kofun Tombs: Inscriptions, transmission, and multiple productions   Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 8, 2010 - December 12, 2010 Including: Mirror with Deities Design, Kofun period, 4th century

Imported Mirrors and Japanese Mirrors   Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 8, 2010 - December 12, 2010 Including: Mirror with six bells, From Ota-shi, Gunma, Kofun period, 5th - 6th century

Development of Beads and Jade Tools Production   Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 8, 2010 - December 12, 2010 Including: Crystal Round Bead, excavated from Koganezuka Tumulus, Izumi-shi, Osaka, Kofun period, 4th - 5th century (Important Cultural Property) and other crystal, glass, jade objects

Rituals of Kofun Period   Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 8, 2010 - December 12, 2010 Objects from the Sarunoko Tumulus, Bando-shi, Ibaraki, Kofun period, 5th century

Iron Farming and other Tools of Kofun Period   Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 8, 2010 - December 12, 2010 Including: Axes, sickles, and plows

Newly Introduced Weaponry: Changes in Combat Styles and Ornamentation   Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 8, 2010 - December 12, 2010 Including: Spearthead, From Uda-shi, Nara, Kofun period, 5th century

Protective Additions to Kofun-Period Helmets and Armor   Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 8, 2010 - December 12, 2010 Including: Pair of forearm guards, From site at Ueno, Chikusei-shi, Ibaraki, Kofun period, 5th - 6th century

Haniwa Objects   Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 15, 2010 - December 19, 2010 Including: Haniwa (terracotta tomb ornament): Storage Houses with Gable Roofs, evcavated from Saitobaru Tumulus, Saito-shi, Miyazaki, Kofun period, 5th century (Important Cultural Property)

The Flourishing of Haniwa Figures   Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 15, 2010 - December 19, 2010 Including: Haniwa, Warrior in Keiko Armor, from Misato-cho, Takasaki-shi, Gunma, Kofun period, 6th century (on exhibit from November 16, 2010)

Ornaments of Kings   Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 8, 2010 - December 12, 2010 Objects from Eta-Funayama Tumulus, Nagomi-machi, Kumamoto, Kofun peirod, 5th - 6th century (National Treasures)

Tile with Buddhist Image   Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 29, 2010 - December 26, 2010 Tiles decorating temple buildings. Including: Tile with Buddhist Triad and Tile with Buddhist Image, Asuka period, 7th century

Tiles with Inscriptions   Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 29, 2010 - December 26, 2010 Tiles with inscriptions from Nara period, 8th century

The World of Nara Period Officials   Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 29, 2010 - December 26, 2010 Wooden plates and stationaries. Including: Gold coins "Kaiki Shoho", excavated from Saidaiji-machi, Nara, Nara Period, 8th century (Important Cultural Property) Bronze Seal of the Mikasadan (Mikasa Group), Nara period, 8th century

Sutra Mounds - Time Capsules for 5,670,000,000 Years   Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 29, 2010 - December 26, 2010 Objects buried in sutra mounds. Including: Sutra case, From Kashiwao-yama Sutra Mound, Koshu-shi, Yamanashi, Heian Period, dated 1103 (Important Cultural Property)

Cinerary Urns of Medieval Cremation   Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 29, 2010 - December 26, 2010 Cinerary urns made of bronze, stone and ceramic

Edo-Period Artifacts from Ueno Park   Japanese Archaeology Gallery June 29, 2010 - December 26, 2010 Objects from Ueno Park, Edo-Period, 17th - 19th century

1st floor

Thematic Exhibition  Ancient Egyptian Mummy  Thematic Exhibition Room July 13, 2010 - September 20, 2010 >> detailed information This display features the Egyptian mummy, together with a selection of funerary objects. We hope this mummy, one of very few in Japan, provides an opportunity for viewers to understand more about life and death in ancient Egypt. Exhibit Includes: Mummy Shroud of Padiinher, Excavated in lower Egypt, Roman Period, 1st century Mummy of Pasherienptah, Excvated at Thebes, Egypt, 22nd dynasty, ca. 945 - 730 BC (Gift of Egyptian Department of Antiquities)

Modern Sculpture   Corridor April 6, 2010 - April 3, 2011 Including: Mr. Tobari Kogan, By Ogiwara Morie, dated 1909 Eva, By Auguste Rodin, 19th century

2nd floor: Special Exhibition Galleries

The Birth of Chinese Civilization    Special Exhibition Galleries July 6, 2010 - September 5, 2010 This exhibition will present a first-grade selection of antiquities including recently discovered objects from Henan province, which was once the center of Chinese civilization.

Todaiji Temple and Monuments of Tenpyo Culture     Special Exhibition Galleries October 8, 2010 - December 12, 2010 The Great Buddha of Todaiji temple in Nara was initially built over 1250 years ago by order of Emperor Shomu and Empress Komyo as a prayer for peace in Japan and the world beyond. Featuring works related to the Great Buddha, this exhibition looks into the spiritual aspects of the project, as well as the essence of Tenpyo-era culture. Additional masterpieces such as portrait sculptures of the priests Chogen and Kokei who contributed to the temple's revival in the middle ages express the enduring cultural importance of the temple.

SHARAKU     Special Exhibition Galleries April 5, 2011 - May 15, 2011 MAY, 1794. An unknown artist emerges, stunning the ukiyo-e world with a lavish series of 28 mica-printed Kabuki actor portraits. Over 140 prints later, he disappears again the following January. His name? Toshusai Sharaku. The appeal of Sharaku's prints, however, is no mere by-product of this enigma: the emphatic, abbreviated style which struck a chord among his contemporaries continues to fascinate even today. This exhibition will explore the intriguing elements of his expression and the sources of his creativity, all the while highlighting the distinctive artistic qualities of his work.