Series Japanese Natural History :Mori Ogai and the Imperial Household Museum

Mori Ogai (1862-1922) is generally known as one of the most famous novelists of the Modern period. He was the General Director of the Imperial Household Museum and the Director of the Imperial Household Ministry's Library and Archives in his later years. Mori compiled the catalogue of the museum's book collection, and wrote bibliography and short biography of the author of each book himself. As he died in November, 1878 while in the above positions, the work was never completed, but the books he compiled are nearly 4,200.

The bibliography includes comments on various books ranging from liberal arts to natural science and social science, demonstrating his wide knowledge as a bibliographer. Mori also made renovations on the display in the museum, using chronological classifications of the objects and contributed to a remarkable increase of visitors, as well as created Journal of the Imperial Household Museum. He also investigated the Shosoin Treasures and made the jealously guarded imperial treasures accessible to researchers in general.

The present exhibition shows his achievements with various items including Mori's bibliography of books in the museum collection, various materials related to his activities as General Director of the museum, as well as Draft of Art Anatomy he compiled as a doctor.