TOKYO NATIONAL MUSEUM - Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan)

People on the Japanese Archipelago during a Glacial Stage: The Dawn of Tool Making

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

People first settled in Japan about 40,000 years ago, marking the beginning of the Paleolithic period, which continued until pottery was rst created approximately 13,000 years ago. This period coincided with a glacial stage during which Japan was still connected to the Asian continent via land bridges and inhabited by large mammals such as mammoths. People led nomadic lives and made tools from stone and animal bone, using them to hunt and forage.

This section explores how Paleolithic tools changed over time through common examples: trapezoids with cutting edges, knives, spearheads, and miniature blades for making composite tools such as harpoons. Generally, Paleolithic tools were made by chipping stone into the desired shapes, while polished stone tools firrst appeared in the following Neolithic period. Japan’s Paleolithic period, however, is characterized by the use of stone axe heads with partially-polished blades.

The most common material for tools was obsidian, a type of volcanic glass found in abundance across most of Japan. The sedimentary rock siliceous shale was used in northeastern Japan, where obsidian was scarce, while the volcanic rock sanukite was used in the Kinki region and around the Seto Inland Sea. All of these materials were suitable for making tools because they were relatively hard and ne-grained, allowing sharp edges to be formed by chipping.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-September 6, 2026 (Sun)

Permanent Settlements and the Creation of Pottery

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

Rising sea levels formed the Japanese islands when the ice age ended about 13,000 years ago. In response to their changing environment, people began using the bow and arrow for hunting, invented pottery, and began living in permanent settlements. This was the beginning of Japan’s Neolithic era, which lasted for approximately 10,000 years. Although farming and the rearing of livestock usually began during this era in other societies, life in Japan continued to be centered on foraging, fishing, and hunting.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-September 6, 2026 (Sun)

Interaction with the Asian Continent and the Pottery of an Agricultural Society

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

About 2,400 years ago, bronze and iron tools as well as rice cultivation were introduced from China and Korea, later spreading throughout most of Japan. People began living in villages with irrigated rice fields, marking the beginning of the agricultural Yayoi period. Two unique cultures developed in parallel with Yayoi society: the Post-Jomon culture on the island of Hokkaido to the northeast, where rice cultivation did not take root, and the Late Shell Mound culture on the Nansei Islands to the southwest.

Yayoi pottery was used during this period. Although it was unglazed like the Jomon pottery of the previous period, it was thinner and fired at a higher temperature, making it more durable and lighter in color. Vessels with specific functions such as urns for boiling, jars for storage, and stemmed bowls for serving food were created to meet the needs of this new agricultural society.

In the first half of the Yayoi period (ca. 4th–3rd century BC), pottery with shared characteristics known as Ongagawa-type pottery was created throughout western Japan. Vessels showing influence from this pottery have been excavated in eastern and northern Japan, suggesting the diffusion of a shared culture. Moreover, during the mid-Yayoi period (ca. 2nd–1st century BC) use of the potter’s wheel and other new techniques were adopted.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-September 6, 2026 (Sun)

Political Maturation and the Creation of Symbols of Authority

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

Around the end of the Yayoi period in the first half of the 3rd century, large burial mounds with regionally-distinct shapes began to appear in various areas from Kanto to Kyushu. Villages in Japan were changing to states, with some gaining the power to unify others. A Chinese historical document even noted that in 239 and 240, Queen Himiko, the ruler of Japan’s Yamatai Kingdom, sent envoys to the Wei dynasty.

During the latter half of the 3rd century, keyhole-shaped burial mounds of unprecedented size and construction began to appear in the Kinai region, with the largest concentration in the Nara basin. Objects symbolizing political authority, such as bronze mirrors and ornaments, accompanied those buried inside. These developments show that politics in Japan had matured under the new Yamato Kingdom, which was even more powerful than Yamatai. These burial mounds were constructed on a wide scale until the 7th century, giving this era the name Kofun (ancient burial mound) period.

The pottery of the Kofun period was haji earthenware. Unlike earlier Yayoi pottery, it was uniform in design and did not feature regionally-distinct decorative patterns. This section explores the beginning of the Kofun period through haji pottery and bronze mirrors that were brought from China and placed in burial mounds.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-November 29, 2026 (Sun)

The Yamato Kingdom and the Production of Symbols of Authority

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

From the 4th century, Chinese-style bronze mirrors were created in Japan and placed in burial mounds. These large mirrors were finely-crafted with unique designs, and, as this burial practice suggests, held special meaning in the Yamato Kingdom. Jasper, bronze, and stone copies of various ornaments were also buried in these mounds. They included distinctive hoe-shaped stone objects modeled after shell bracelets that were valued in the preceding Yayoi period. The Yamato government began creating such objects to show its political and religious authority. Moreover, certain objects, such as those made of jasper, were created with the aid of provincial clans.

Use of these objects and the construction of burial mounds for high-ranking rulers (these mounds featured stone chambers that were sealed from the top) spread from the Yamato Kingdom to the west. It is believed that provincial clans used these objects as evidence of their alliance with Yamato and as symbols of their own prestige.

The establishment and expansion of the Yamato Kingdom was also related to political developments in other East Asian countries. In China, the fall of the Western Jin dynasty ushered in the Sixteen Kingdoms period (316–420), while the three kingdoms of Korea – Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla – began to annex neighboring regions.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-November 29, 2026 (Sun)

Large Burial Mounds and the Increase in Metal Production

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

Around the end of the 4th century, large keyhole-shaped burial mounds began to appear around the Osaka plain and Nara basin. Royal authority was expressed through burial practices, with grand arrangements of haniwa tomb figurines displayed on these mounds. Central to these arrangements were house-shaped haniwa as well as those representing tools, weapons, and other objects. Moreover, the number of small- and medium-sized burial mounds containing metal weapons and armor began to increase, suggesting that connections between the Yamato Kingdom and provincial clans became more militaristic, and that these connections began to extend to lesser clans as well. Metal production also increased significantly as shown by the large amount of ingots placed in burial mounds.

Chinese records state that from 421, the Five Kings of Wa (Japan) regularly offered tribute to the Southern Dynasties and requested that their military titles in Japan and Korea be recognized in China. The mass-production of metal weapons and armor further suggests the inclusion of Yamato in an international order centered on China.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-November 29, 2026 (Sun)

The Rise of Provincial Clans and the Development of a Unique Culture

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

Local production of weapons, armor, and horse tack, which had originally been brought from Korea, began around the end of the 5th century. While gold and silver were often used in Korea, production in Japan was characterized by the extensive use of gilded bronze plates. From around the mid-6th century, unique metal objects such as large ornamental swords were also created. It is believed that these objects were distributed to provincial clans as proof of the Yamato Kingdom’s authority and as signs of an alliance.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-November 29, 2026 (Sun)

Late Burial Mounds and Influence from the Asian Continent

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

At the end of the 6th century, significant changes accompanied the shift from the Kofun to the Asuka (593–710) period. Rulers constructed round or rectangular burial mounds, which replaced the older keyhole-shaped variety. In the mid-7th century, octagonal burial mounds were created for the Kings of Yamato, the most powerful rulers in Japan. Moreover, small burial mounds for individuals, which consisted of a stone chamber with an entrance, were built in the Kinai region. These developments reflect significant changes in burial practices.

These “late burial mounds” featured the latest technology imported from the Asian continent. Earth was tightly packed to strengthen construction, cut stones were stacked to create walls, and lacquered coffins were used. Some of these mounds, foremost of which are Takamatsu and Kitora, had burial chambers with painted murals that reflected imported beliefs.

Buddhism, which was introduced to Japan in the mid-6th century, spread among powerful clans while temples such as Asukadera and Horyuji were constructed in Nara. Meanwhile, China was unified under the Sui in 581 and the Tang in 618. Japanese envoys dispatched to China brought the latest culture to Japan. In Korea, the kingdom of Baekje fell in 660 to the combined armies of Tang and Silla despite Japanese aid. The creation of a unified state continued in Japan during this time of international tension.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-November 29, 2026 (Sun)

The Beginnings of a State under the Ritsuryō System

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

In 701, a system of law and administration (ritsuryō) modeled after Tang China was established in Japan under the emperor. A new imperial capital was founded in Nara in 710, and that was the beginning of the Nara period, which lasted about 70 years. During this period, large-scale projects such as the construction of national roads and government-administered Buddhist temples were undertaken. Such events were preceded by the dispatch of envoys to China from the 7th century. These envoys brought the latest institutions, religions, technology, and cultural objects to Japan, contributing greatly to the political and cultural reforms that followed.

Buddhism in particular affected Japan. One Buddhist tradition that spread through society, beginning with the emperor and powerful aristocrats, was cremation. This section displays vessels for cremated remains, items buried with the deceased, and epitaphs noting individuals’ achievements.

Roof tiles, which were introduced to Japan at the end of the 6th century, were initially used for Buddhist temples. After an earlier imperial capital was established in 694, their use was extended to the imperial palace and government buildings. When Emperor Shōmu ordered the construction of government-administered temples across Japan in 741, the production of roof tiles gained momentum in the provinces. This section also exhibits distinctive tiles from various regions, ranging from Tōhoku in the north to Kyushu in the south.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-September 13, 2026 (Sun)

Mountain Worship and the Belief in the Decline of Buddhism

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

From the late Nara (710–794) to the Heian (794–1192) period, priests who worshipped in the mountains began to appear throughout Japan. Believing that Shinto and Buddhism are essentially the same faith, and that Shinto gods are in fact Buddhist deities, they climbed mountains in search of sacred sites where they could worship the mountain gods. Sites on the peaks of Mt. Omine in Nara prefecture and Mt. Nantai in Tochigi prefecture are well-known examples, with excavations revealing various objects that these priests had left as offerings. This form of mountain worship eventually developed into Shugendo, a folk religion unique to Japan.

In the mid-Heian period, the belief in Buddhism’s decline also permeated society. The age of decline was thought to begin in the year 1052, leading people to associate reoccurring natural disasters and disturbances in society with this new age. In response, aristocrats and others living in the capital began creating sutra mounds throughout Japan. Aristocrats also believed in a prophecy that the Buddhist deity Maitreya would reappear 5,670,000,000 years in the future to save all beings. Transcribing sutra scrolls and preserving them in sutra mounds was most likely a way of praying for peace in this world and the next during these troubled times. This section features excavated objects connected with mountain worship and the belief in Buddhism’s decline.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-September 13, 2026 (Sun)

Life and Death in the Kamakura Period

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

From the Kamakura period (1192–1333), political power shifted from the aristocracy to the warrior class. Society and culture began to reflect the tastes and lifestyles of these new rulers, while towns were built around their castle compounds throughout Japan.

New sects of Buddhism also gained popularity in the Kamakura period. One of these was the Zen sect, which was accepted into warrior society. Tea drinking, which spread through Zen, was valued by the warrior class for providing a means for social interaction. Meanwhile, tea utensils became highly valued as symbols of prestige among the warriors. Chinese ceramics became especially prized, and local kilns such as the ones in Seto (present-day Aichi prefecture) began producing ceramics in imitation of them. These ceramics were also created for storing the remains of deceased individuals.

Itabi were stone tablets resembling gravestones, which were created to pray for the repose of deceased individuals. Beginning in the mid-Kamakura period, they were created throughout Japan, from Hokkaido in the north to Kagoshima in the south, although most of them were concentrated in the Kanto region around present-day Tokyo. Many of these tablets are similar in form and are thought to have deep connections with warriors of the Kanto region.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-September 13, 2026 (Sun)

Objects Excavated from Edo

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

Tokugawa Ieyasu became the shogun of Japan in 1603, establishing his government in Edo (present-day Tokyo). Edo then became the political and cultural center of Japan, with 70% of its land occupied by residences for feudal lords and members of the Tokugawa clan. In addition to these residences, temples, shrines, commoners’ homes, and post towns with accommodations for travelers were sectioned into different areas around Edo Castle, while the castle itself served as the shogun’s residence and place of business. Large fires occurred frequently in Edo because of the dense concentration of wooden buildings. After each fire, land was divided and reassigned, sometimes to create open spaces to prevent future fires from spreading. Land reclamation and other projects for coping with a rising population were also undertaken, with Edo developing into one of Asia’s largest cities.

The appearance of Edo has come to light in recent years through excavations. In particular, large-scale excavations have shown where the residences of feudal lords were located and how they were laid out. Moreover, unearthed objects have revealed the luxurious lifestyles these lords enjoyed, made possible in part by a monetary system based on gold, silver, and copper coinage, which led to the increased distribution of goods. In fact, goods from across Japan were brought to Edo for consumption. This section features excavated objects that vividly illustrate the lifestyles of Edo people.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-September 13, 2026 (Sun)

Important Cultural Property
Tomb Sculpture (Haniwa): Dressed-Up Woman

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

Terracotta statues known as Haniwa were placed on large tomb mounds that were created in great numbers during the Kofun period (ca. 3rd century−ca.7th century). Most of Haniwa women show them from the waist up, making this full-length depiction unusual. This woman appears to be wearing a sleeveless garment with wave-like patterns over a plain, long-sleeved one. Her legs are hidden by a skirt with vertical lines. Women of the preceding Yayoi period (ca. 5th century BC−ca. 3rd century AD) wore clothes similar to one-piece dresses. In the Kofun period, however, garments divided into top and bottom sections as seen here were introduced from China and Korea.

This woman's outfit is also more elaborate than it first appears: her hair is made up in a topknot unique to women of the time and is held in place with a comb.She also wears a headband and two large earrings with a cluster of beads above each one, as well as a beaded necklace and bracelets. A knife or something similar is at her hip. Judging from the lavish attire, this Haniwa probably depicts a woman of high social standing who is participating in some kind of elaborate ceremony such as a funerary procession or rite.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-December 20, 2026 (Sun)

Objects of Prayer and Accessories in the Jomon Period

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

Accessories in the Jomon period (ca. 11,000 BC–ca. 5th century BC) included hair ornaments, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and waist ornaments. They had the additional function of indicating the age and sex of the wearer, as well as protecting him or her from evil spirits. Stone rods, which were male symbols, were made in prayer for fertility and the birth of many children.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-September 6, 2026 (Sun)

Daily Tools of the Jomon Period

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

From the Jomon period (ca. 11,000 BC–ca. 5th century BC) onward, means of obtaining food changed in accordance with changes in the natural environment resulting from a milder climate. The bow and arrow was invented, while tools such as fishhooks, fishing spears, and harpoon heads were created in quantity. Grinding slabs and grindstones as well as stone mortars and hammerstones were used to process nuts and other foods.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-September 6, 2026 (Sun)

Daily Tools of the Yayoi Period

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

In the Yayoi period (ca. 5th century BC–3rd century AD), polished stone and metal tools were introduced from China and the Korean Peninsula along with wet rice cultivation. Stone tools included reaping knives for harvesting, a range of polished axes and adzes for making wooden agricultural tools, and polished arrowheads that could have been used as weapons. These tools were subsequently made with iron.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-September 6, 2026 (Sun)

Accessories of the Yayoi Period

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

People of the Yayoi period (ca. 5th century BC–3rd century AD) made their accessories using a range of materials.Accessories made of newly introduced materials, such as bronze and glass, began to appear during this time, in addition to those made of materials used since the Jōmon period (ca. 11,000 BC–5th century BC), such as animal bones, antlers, shells, and stones. This section of the gallery introduces Yayoi-period accessories crafted from these diverse materials, as well as examples characteristic of various regions across the Japanese archipelago.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-September 6, 2026 (Sun)

Bronze Ritual Implements of the Yayoi Period

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

The Yayoi period marks the first use of metal tools in the Japanese archipelago. This section introduces the development of bronze artifacts of the Yayoi period (ca. 5th century BC–3rd century AD)—bronze swords, spears, dagger-axes, and bells (dōtaku) in particular—objects that evolved as ritual implements.

Bronze tools introduced to the Japanese archipelago from the Korean Peninsula at the beginning of the mid-Yayoi period soon began to be produced in northern Kyushu and the Kinki region. In northern Kyushu, three types of weapon-shaped bronze artifacts—bronze swords, spears, and dagger-axes—were actively adopted. Initially slender and practical weapons, these gradually transformed into large, flat ritual implements.

Meanwhile, the Kinki region saw the development of bronze bells (dōtaku), which trace their lineage to the small bronze bells of the Korean Peninsula. Larger than their Korean counterparts and featuring patterns, these Japanese bronze bells gradually lost their function as sound-producing instruments as they grew in size, instead becoming increasingly decorative. These bronze ritual objects are thought to have been used to pray for bountiful harvests and the prosperity of settlements. Additionally, during the late Yayoi period, various small bronze objects and imitations of bronze ware were produced.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-September 6, 2026 (Sun)

After the Jōmon Period in Hokkaido: Epi-Jōmon, Okhotsk, and Satsumon Cultures

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

After the Jōmon period (ca. 11,000 BC–5th century BC), a unique culture based on fishing, hunting, and gathering developed in Hokkaido as rice cultivation did not take root due to the cold climate. This culture in effect comprises of the following three cultures: the Epi-Jōmon culture (4th–7th century BC), the Okhotsk culture (5th–12th century; lasting until the 9th century in Hokkaido), and the Satsumon culture (7th–12th century).

The primary subsistence activities of the Epi-Jōmon culture were fishing and hunting. Many archaeological sites and shell mounds were concentrated along coastlines and river basins. Fishing tools representative of this culture include fish-shaped stone objects, thought to be artificial lures, and richly decorated bone and antler spearheads.

The subsequent Satsumon culture emerged under the influence of ancient states on Honshū, the main island of the Japanese archipelago. People from this time built square pit dwellings equipped with hearths, made pottery (“Satsumon pottery”) influenced by haji earthenware, and began using ironware extensively. Many ironware products were obtained through trade with people in the northernmost part of Honshū, who in exchange obtained eagle and hawk feathers, animal furs, and marine products.

The Okhotsk culture centered on fishing and marine-mammal hunting as its primary subsistence activities. It spread from the mouth of Amur River across all of Sakhalin, along the Okhotsk coast of Hokkaido, and to the Kuril Islands. In Hokkaido, the Okhotsk culture was a foreign culture that came from the north and coexisted at times with the Jōmon and Satsumon cultures. This exhibition displays pottery, stone tools, bone and antler tools, and metal objects representative of these three cultures.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-September 6, 2026 (Sun)

Dated Mirrors and Inherited Mirrors

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

The mirrors displayed here comprise two types: ones inscribed with their respective years of production, and ones that were passed down through multiple generations before burial in tomb mounds. The former type are inscribed with Chinese era names from dynasties such as the Wei (220–265) and the Wu (222–280), and have been excavated in limited number from Japanese tomb mounds. The latter were buried in tomb mounds years after being produced, and are invaluable for shedding light on the establishment of Kofun-period culture.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-December 6, 2026 (Sun)

Tomb Mounds on Tsushima Island
The Daishōgun’yama Tumulus

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

Tsushima Island is located midway between the Japanese archipelago and the Korean Peninsula. Burial goods recovered there incorporate elements from cultures that existed during Japan’s Kofun period (ca. 3rd–7th century) and Korea’s Three Kingdoms period (4th century–668). The works on view explore burial practices that developed on the island through cultural exchange.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-December 6, 2026 (Sun)

Miniature Stone Models Unearthed from Tomb Mounds

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

From around the mid-300s, miniature stone models were interred with the dead in tomb mounds. Not intended for practical use, they were made of relatively soft stone such as steatite and imitated a wide range of items. Among such miniature stone models, this exhibit introduces tools and farming implements.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-December 6, 2026 (Sun)

Masters of Maritime Access: A Closer Look of the Figures Entombed in the Uenoyama Tumulus

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

The Uenoyama Tumulus stands at a critical location,connecting trade routes over land and sea. The Yamato Kingship relied on ships and horses to transport goods and thus lavished the rulers entombed in the Uenoyama Tumulus with valuable items. Burial goods include objects with bells believed to have supernatural powers as well as swords and armor, suggesting the tomb’s occupants were men of military might.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-December 6, 2026 (Sun)

The Development of Bead Production

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

Beads produced in the Kofun period (ca. 3rd–7th century), which changed in complicated ways over time, show great variety both in terms of type and material. They were combined in various ways depending on who wore them and what rituals they were used for. In the first half of the Kofun period, the Hokuriku and San’in regions –––– located along the Sea of Japan ––––– were the main centers of the bead production, while the latter half of the period saw mass production even in the Kinki region, where Kyoto and Osaka are located today.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-December 6, 2026 (Sun)

Kofun-Period Culture in the Jōsō Region: Stone Headrests and Flower-Shaped Ornaments

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

In the Jōsō region in present-day Ibaraki and Chiba Prefectures near Tokyo, a custom of burying the deceased with a stone headrest decorated with flower-shaped stone ornaments prevailed during the mid-Kofun period. This section of the gallery introduces such funerary rites unique to the Jōsō region.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-December 6, 2026 (Sun)

The Sound of Ancient Bells

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

In the 5th and 6th centuries, during the mid- to the late Kofun period, bells became widely used. A range of bronze objects, such as bracelets, mirrors, and horse tack, were also fitted with bells. With their metallic sheen and resonant sound, these bells probably had the roles of enhancing the solemnity of rituals and the dignity of rulers.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-December 6, 2026 (Sun)

Objects Owned by Ritualistic Leaders

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

In the 3rd and 4th centuries, provincial rulers played the roles of ritualistic leaders. They liked to own magical objects such as bronze mirrors, as well as vessels and accessories made of precious stones.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-December 6, 2026 (Sun)

The Niizawa Senzuka Tombs and Exchange with the Asian Continent

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

Created in the 5th century, burial mound no. 126 is one of approximately 600 that make up the Niizawa Senzuka tumulus cluster located in the Nara Basin. Rectangular in shape and 24 meters in length, excavations revealed that it contained a rich variety of objects from other cultures. These include gold, silver, and gilt-bronze accessories, glass bowls and plates, bronze clothing irons and small mirrors, carved semi-precious stones, and weapons. Among these, the gold and silver crown decorations, jewelry, glass bowls, decorative glass beads, and other objects are equivalent in quality to items excavated from tombs of the Silla Kings in Korea.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-December 6, 2026 (Sun)

Ancient Swords with Inscriptions and the Society of the Kofun Period

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

The sword on exhibit features a long, 75-character inscription, which is invaluable in shining light on politics in the 5th century. Swords with inscriptions, such as this one, were made in China, Korea, and Japan. Inscriptions on Chinese bronze mirrors or iron swords made from the time of the Eastern Han dynasty (25–220) consisted mainly of dates, auspicious words, or sayings. In the 3rd–5th centuries, these inscriptions expressed prayers to the deities of the four cardinal directions in the hope of repelling evil and preventing natural disasters. In contrast, inscriptions on Japanese swords made in the 5th–7th centuries include content such as the names of individuals and the places where the swords were created. These inscriptions also express the influence of Chinese world views.

On the Asian continent, inscriptions were made primarily on large monuments such as stone steles. In Japan, however, they were featured on items that could be carried such as iron swords. Iron swords were prized in Japan from the Yayoi period and developed to an unusual extent, which experts believe is connected to the popularity of swords with inscriptions in the Kofun period.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-December 6, 2026 (Sun)

The Eta Funayama Burial Mound and the Advanced Culture of Provincial Clans

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

Eta Funayama, which is located in Kumamoto prefecture in southwestern Japan, is a keyhole-shaped burial mound with a length of 77 meters. The numerous objects excavated from this mound include a now-famous sword with inscriptions in silver inlay, jewelry and other ornaments made of gold, silver, and gilt bronze, imported bronze mirrors, horse tack, and weapons. As prime examples of objects excavated from a burial mound in Japan, they were designated National Treasures in 1965.

The jewelry and accessories, in particular, which are made from precious metals, are equivalent in quality to Korean accessories related to prestigious governmental ranks. Moreover, the gilt bronze crowns and ornamental shoes served as models for objects created later in Japan, and led to the custom of wearing metal accessories in the 6th century. Horse tack was also excavated from this mound and shows that the Japanese had acquired the technique of horseback riding.

Furthermore, unique Japanese armor, which was made in the Kinai region, suggests that the entombed individuals were advanced and had strong connections with the central Yamato Kingdom.

These excavated objects shine light on the activities of provincial clans in Japan, which interacted with Korean kingdoms such as Baekje.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-December 6, 2026 (Sun)

Development of Figural Haniwa Tomb Figurines

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

The advent of burial mounds coincided with the emergence of a specific kind of tomb sculpture, called haniwa. These sculptures are assumed to have played an important role in ancient funerary rites, and were a common feature of burial mounds until the practice declined after early societies abandoned the construction of colossal, keyhole-shaped burial mounds. This section of the gallery features house-shaped tomb sculptures, which were the dominant type during the 5th century. The lineup also includes illustrative examples of three other types of tomb sculptures: those in the shapes of weapons and household items, cylindrical sculptures, and wooden sculptures.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-December 20, 2026 (Sun)

Tomb Sculptures (Haniwa) and Funerary Rites

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-December 20, 2026 (Sun)

Ancient Coins

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

Coins known as "wadō kaichin," which were minted in 708 (Wadō 1), represent the first serious effort in Japan to mint coins for criculation. Subsequently, twelve kinds of coins were minted in the Nara (710–794) and Heian (794–1192) periods. However, the minting of coins ceased by the latter half of the 10th century as the use of bronze coins imported from China became prevalent.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-September 13, 2026 (Sun)

Ancient Epitaphs

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

Epitaphs buried in graves contain information such as the names, dates of death, ages, social standings, governmental positions, and accomplishments of the deceased. In Japan,the custom of making epitaphs spread in conjunction with cremation from the second half of the 7th to the first half of the 8th century. It was practiced mainly among the nobility in the Kinai region, where Kyoto and Nara are located today.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-September 13, 2026 (Sun)

Inscribed Roof Tiles from Ancient Temples

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

Roof tiles were inscribed either by carving with spatulas or stamping with seals. Both types record information, such as the names of district governors, that provides clues about where the tiles were originally brought from.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-September 13, 2026 (Sun)

Tombs of Nara-Period Officials

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

During the Nara period (710–794), cremation was gradually adopted for emperors and members of the nobility in power, changing the way people in high social standing were buried when they passed away. Cremation became more prevalent as the centralized state system and bureaucratic structure were established; the number of tombs with cremated remains of ordinary nobilities and influential officials increased.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-September 13, 2026 (Sun)

Sutra Mounds: Time Capsules for 5,670,000,000 Years

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

Sutra mounds were created from the Heian (794–1192) to the Edo (1603–1868) period for the purpose of preserving Buddhist sutra scrolls. The oldest example is a mound from which a cylinder containing sutras was excavated on Mt. Kinpu in Nara prefecture. It is believed that the Heian-period aristocrat Fujiwara no Michinaga dedicated this cylinder in 1007. The shape of a mound as well as the sutras and other objects it contains vary with its location and the time it was created. Sutras for these mounds were inscribed not only on paper but also on ceramic tiles, bronze plates, stones, shells, and other materials.

The creation of sutra mounds was motivated by the idea, which became widespread in the mid-Heian period, that Buddhist Law will decline 2,000 years after the Buddha’s death. A series of natural disasters and disturbances in society occurred around 1052, the year that this decline was thought to begin, leading people to draw connections. It was also believed that the Buddhist deity Maitreya would reappear in this world 5,670,000,000 years in the future and that Buddhism would prosper again. Sutra mounds were essentially time capsules meant to preserve sutra scrolls until the arrival of this age.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-September 13, 2026 (Sun)

Objects Buried in Sutra Mounds

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

In addition to sutras preserved in sutra cases and their protective outer containers, various dedicatory objects have been excavated from sutra mounds. The most common are knives, mirrors, and lidded vessels. A variety of other objects, including Buddhist ritual implements, weapons, and pieces of furniture, have also been unearthed. The variety of those burial goods depended on factors such as the historical period and region, as well as the social standing of those who constructed the sutra mounds.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-September 13, 2026 (Sun)

Buddhist Scriptures Buried in Sutra Mounds: Clay Tablets, Stones, and Bronze Plates with Sutra Inscriptions

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

Sutra mounds were where Buddhist scriptures were buried in the hope of preserving them for a long time. While most of these scriptures were transcribed on paper and placed inside sutra cases before being buried, others took the form of clay tablets, metal plates, or stone (steatite), all of which would survive longer underground. For Buddhist scriptures made on these hard materials, texts could be inscribed directly onto more than one surface, even on the back and sides of the materials.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-September 13, 2026 (Sun)

Excavated Gold Coins from the Edo Period

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

In 1956, a stash of gold coins from the Edo period was excavated from the grounds of the Komatsu Store (now Ginza Komatsu) in the Ginza area of Tokyo. The stash comprised 268 coins of two types.

The grounds had been used by townspeople in the Edo period, but the reason why this stash of gold coins had been buried remains a mystery.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-September 13, 2026 (Sun)

Ceramics Excavated from the Site of a Residence of Samurai Lords

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0900

The Hongō campus of the University of Tokyo is where the Edo (now Tokyo) residence of the Maeda clan, lords of Kaga Domain in present-day Ishikawa Prefecture, existed in the Edo period (1603–1868). Various objects from around the world—mainly ceramics from Japan, Qing-dynasty China, and Korea’s Joseon dynasty, as well as those made in Europe and West Asia—have been unearthed from this site during excavations.

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed)-September 13, 2026 (Sun)

TOKYO NATIONAL MUSEUM - Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan)

People on the Japanese Archipelago during a Glacial Stage: The Dawn of Tool Making

Permanent Settlements and the Creation of Pottery

Interaction with the Asian Continent and the Pottery of an Agricultural Society

Political Maturation and the Creation of Symbols of Authority

The Yamato Kingdom and the Production of Symbols of Authority

Large Burial Mounds and the Increase in Metal Production

The Rise of Provincial Clans and the Development of a Unique Culture

Late Burial Mounds and Influence from the Asian Continent

The Beginnings of a State under the Ritsuryō System

Mountain Worship and the Belief in the Decline of Buddhism

Life and Death in the Kamakura Period

Objects Excavated from Edo

Important Cultural Property Tomb Sculpture (Haniwa): Dressed-Up Woman

Objects of Prayer and Accessories in the Jomon Period

Daily Tools of the Jomon Period

Daily Tools of the Yayoi Period

Accessories of the Yayoi Period

Bronze Ritual Implements of the Yayoi Period

After the Jōmon Period in Hokkaido: Epi-Jōmon, Okhotsk, and Satsumon Cultures

Dated Mirrors and Inherited Mirrors

Tomb Mounds on Tsushima IslandThe Daishōgun’yama Tumulus

Miniature Stone Models Unearthed from Tomb Mounds

Masters of Maritime Access: A Closer Look of the Figures Entombed in the Uenoyama Tumulus

The Development of Bead Production

Kofun-Period Culture in the Jōsō Region: Stone Headrests and Flower-Shaped Ornaments

The Sound of Ancient Bells

Objects Owned by Ritualistic Leaders

The Niizawa Senzuka Tombs and Exchange with the Asian Continent

Ancient Swords with Inscriptions and the Society of the Kofun Period

The Eta Funayama Burial Mound and the Advanced Culture of Provincial Clans

Development of Figural Haniwa Tomb Figurines

Tomb Sculptures (Haniwa) and Funerary Rites

Ancient Coins

Ancient Epitaphs

Inscribed Roof Tiles from Ancient Temples

Tombs of Nara-Period Officials

Sutra Mounds: Time Capsules for 5,670,000,000 Years

Objects Buried in Sutra Mounds

Buddhist Scriptures Buried in Sutra Mounds: Clay Tablets, Stones, and Bronze Plates with Sutra Inscriptions

Excavated Gold Coins from the Edo Period

Ceramics Excavated from the Site of a Residence of Samurai Lords

Important Cultural Property
Tomb Sculpture (Haniwa): Dressed-Up Woman

Tomb Mounds on Tsushima Island
The Daishōgun’yama Tumulus