Four Major works of Each Period
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Four Major Works of Each Period) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 1, 2010 (Tue) -
December 5, 2010 (Sun)
October 3, 2010 (Sun), Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan)
The Heiseikan, built to commemorate the crown prince's wedding in 1993, serves primarily as the space for special exhibitions. For this purpose there are four special exhibition galleries on the second floor, as well as the Japanese Archaeological Gallery.
From February 2, 2026 to March 31, 2026, the Japanese Archaeology Gallery of the Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibitions (Heiseikan) will be closed due to maintenance work.
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Four Major Works of Each Period)
Four Major works of Each Period
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Four Major Works of Each Period) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 1, 2010 (Tue) - December 5, 2010 (Sun)
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)
Man in Playing the Zither Haniwa (Terracotta Tomb Figure) , Reportedly from Sakuragawa-shi, Ibaraki, Kofun period, 6th century (Private collection, on exhibit through November 15, 2010)
House with Hipped and Gabled Roof Haniwa (Terracotta Tomb Ornament), from Sakurai-shi, Nara, Kofun period, 5th century (Important Cultural Property, on exhibit from November 16, 2010)
Jar, with arabesque pattern, excavated from Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Heian period (National Treasure, 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)
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The Independence of Japanese Culture Jomon Period
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 1, 2010 (Tue) -
December 12, 2010 (Sun)
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The Start of Political Society Yayoi period II - Kofun period I
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 8, 2010 (Tue) -
December 19, 2010 (Sun)
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The Emergence of the Yamato Kofun period II
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 8, 2010 (Tue) -
December 19, 2010 (Sun)
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The Five Kings of Yamato Kofun period III
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 8, 2010 (Tue) -
December 19, 2010 (Sun)
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The Rise of Local Rulers Kofun period IV
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 8, 2010 (Tue) -
December 19, 2010 (Sun)
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Culture from the Silk Road Kofun period V
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 8, 2010 (Tue) -
December 19, 2010 (Sun)
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From Tang to Nara and From Nara to the Rest of Japan Nara period
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 29, 2010 (Tue) -
December 5, 2010 (Sun)
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Aristocrats of the Ritsuryo System Heian Period
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 29, 2010 (Tue) -
December 5, 2010 (Sun)
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The Rise of Warrior Class CultureThe Rise of Warrior Class Culture Late Heian - Muromachi period
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 29, 2010 (Tue) -
December 5, 2010 (Sun)
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The Flowering of Daimyo Culture Azuchi-Momoyama - Edo period
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 29, 2010 (Tue) -
December 5, 2010 (Sun)
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Becoming Part of the East Asian World Yayoi Period I
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 1, 2010 (Tue) -
December 12, 2010 (Sun)
The Dawning of Japanese Culture Paleolithic Period
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 1, 2010 (Tue) - December 12, 2010 (Sun)
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
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 1, 2010 (Tue) - December 12, 2010 (Sun)
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)
The Start of Political Society Yayoi period II - Kofun period I
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 8, 2010 (Tue) - December 19, 2010 (Sun)
Objects from Funahashi Tumulus, Kashiwara-shi and Fujiidera-shi, Osaka, Kofun period, 3rd century, etc.
The Emergence of the Yamato Kofun period II
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 8, 2010 (Tue) - December 19, 2010 (Sun)
Mirror with hunting images, reportedly excavated from Hachimanbara-cho, Takasaki-shi, Gunma, Kofun period, 4th - 5th century (Important Cultural Property)
The Five Kings of Yamato Kofun period III
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 8, 2010 (Tue) - December 19, 2010 (Sun)
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
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 8, 2010 (Tue) - December 19, 2010 (Sun)
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
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 8, 2010 (Tue) - December 19, 2010 (Sun)
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
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 29, 2010 (Tue) - December 5, 2010 (Sun)
Jar, With three color-glaze, excavated from China, Tang Dynasty, 8th century
Aristocrats of the Ritsuryo System Heian Period
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 29, 2010 (Tue) - December 5, 2010 (Sun)
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 CultureThe Rise of Warrior Class Culture Late Heian - Muromachi period
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 29, 2010 (Tue) - December 5, 2010 (Sun)
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
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 29, 2010 (Tue) - December 5, 2010 (Sun)
Large Dish, Flowers design in overglaze enamels, Kakiemon type, Imari Ware, Edo period, 17th century
Becoming Part of the East Asian World Yayoi Period I
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 1, 2010 (Tue) - December 12, 2010 (Sun)
Including:
Jar, from Asagiri-machi, Kumamoto, Yayoi period, 1st - 3rd century (Important Cultural Property, Private collection)
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
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Everyday Tools
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 1, 2010 (Tue) -
December 12, 2010 (Sun)
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Yayoi Tools and Accessories
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 1, 2010 (Tue) -
December 12, 2010 (Sun)
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Ancient Chinese Mirrors from Japanese Kofun Tombs: Inscriptions, transmission, and multiple productions
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 8, 2010 (Tue) -
December 19, 2010 (Sun)
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Imported Mirrors and Japanese Mirrors
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 8, 2010 (Tue) -
December 19, 2010 (Sun)
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Development of Beads and Jade Tools Production
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 8, 2010 (Tue) -
December 19, 2010 (Sun)
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Rituals of Kofun Period
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 8, 2010 (Tue) -
December 19, 2010 (Sun)
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Iron Farming and other Tools of Kofun Period
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 8, 2010 (Tue) -
December 19, 2010 (Sun)
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Newly Introduced Weaponry: Changes in Combat Styles and Ornamentation
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 8, 2010 (Tue) -
December 19, 2010 (Sun)
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Protective Additions to Kofun-Period Helmets and Armor
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 8, 2010 (Tue) -
December 19, 2010 (Sun)
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Ornaments of Kings
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 8, 2010 (Tue) -
December 19, 2010 (Sun)
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Haniwa Objects
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 15, 2010 (Tue) -
December 26, 2010 (Sun)
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Tile with Buddhist Image
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 29, 2010 (Tue) -
December 5, 2010 (Sun)
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Tiles with Inscriptions
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 29, 2010 (Tue) -
December 5, 2010 (Sun)
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The World of Nara Period Officials
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 29, 2010 (Tue) -
December 5, 2010 (Sun)
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Sutra Mounds - Time Capsules for 5,670,000,000 Years
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 29, 2010 (Tue) -
December 5, 2010 (Sun)
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Cinerary Urns of Medieval Cremation
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 29, 2010 (Tue) -
December 5, 2010 (Sun)
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Edo-Period Artifacts from Ueno Park
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 29, 2010 (Tue) -
December 5, 2010 (Sun)
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Thematic Exhibition
Armor of the Kofun Period
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology GallerySeptember 14, 2010 (Tue) -
December 12, 2010 (Sun)
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Personal Accessories and Ritual Objects
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 1, 2010 (Tue) -
December 12, 2010 (Sun)
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Post Jomon Culture of Hokkaido
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 1, 2010 (Tue) -
December 12, 2010 (Sun)
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Daily Tools of Yayoi
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 1, 2010 (Tue) -
December 12, 2010 (Sun)
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Metalwork of the Yayoi Period
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology GalleryJune 1, 2010 (Tue) -
December 12, 2010 (Sun)
The Flourishing of Haniwa Figures
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 15, 2010 (Tue) - December 26, 2010 (Sun)
Haniwa warrior, from Iizuka-cho, Ota-shi, Gunma, Kofun period, 6th century (National Treasure, on exhibit from November 16, 2010)
Everyday Tools
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 1, 2010 (Tue) - December 12, 2010 (Sun)
Yayoi Tools and Accessories
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 1, 2010 (Tue) - December 12, 2010 (Sun)
Magatama, Kudatama Beads, Yayoi period, 2nd - 1st century BC
Ancient Chinese Mirrors from Japanese Kofun Tombs: Inscriptions, transmission, and multiple productions
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 8, 2010 (Tue) - December 19, 2010 (Sun)
Mirror with Deities Design, Kofun period, 4th century
Imported Mirrors and Japanese Mirrors
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 8, 2010 (Tue) - December 19, 2010 (Sun)
Mirror with six bells, From Ota-shi, Gunma, Kofun period, 5th - 6th century
Development of Beads and Jade Tools Production
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 8, 2010 (Tue) - December 19, 2010 (Sun)
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
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 8, 2010 (Tue) - December 19, 2010 (Sun)
Iron Farming and other Tools of Kofun Period
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 8, 2010 (Tue) - December 19, 2010 (Sun)
Axes, sickles, and plows
Newly Introduced Weaponry: Changes in Combat Styles and Ornamentation
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 8, 2010 (Tue) - December 19, 2010 (Sun)
Spearthead, From Uda-shi, Nara, Kofun period, 5th century
Protective Additions to Kofun-Period Helmets and Armor
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 8, 2010 (Tue) - December 19, 2010 (Sun)
Pair of forearm guards, From site at Ueno, Chikusei-shi, Ibaraki, Kofun period, 5th - 6th century
Ornaments of Kings
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 8, 2010 (Tue) - December 19, 2010 (Sun)
Haniwa Objects
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 15, 2010 (Tue) - December 26, 2010 (Sun)
Haniwa (terracotta tomb ornament): Storage Houses with Gable Roofs, evcavated from Saitobaru Tumulus, Saito-shi, Miyazaki, Kofun period, 5th century (Important Cultural Property)
Tile with Buddhist Image
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 29, 2010 (Tue) - December 5, 2010 (Sun)
Including:
Tile with Buddhist Triad and Tile with Buddhist Image, Asuka period, 7th century
Tiles with Inscriptions
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 29, 2010 (Tue) - December 5, 2010 (Sun)
The World of Nara Period Officials
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 29, 2010 (Tue) - December 5, 2010 (Sun)
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
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 29, 2010 (Tue) - December 5, 2010 (Sun)
Including:
Sutra case, From Kashiwao-yama Sutra Mound, Koshu-shi, Yamanashi, Heian Period, dated 1103 (Important Cultural Property)
Cinerary Urns of Medieval Cremation
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 29, 2010 (Tue) - December 5, 2010 (Sun)
Edo-Period Artifacts from Ueno Park
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 29, 2010 (Tue) - December 5, 2010 (Sun)
Short Cuirass, Banded style with horizontal iron bands joined with leather, From Eta-Funayama Tumulus, Nagomi-cho, Tamana-gun, Kumamoto, Kofun period, 5th - 6th century, (National Treasure)
Armor of the Kofun Period
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
September 14, 2010 (Tue) - December 12, 2010 (Sun)
>> detailed information
The development of armor of the Kofun period corresponds with the appearance and phasing out of kofun tumuli, making armor an important resource for understanding shifts in modes of combat, culture and social structure during the Kofun period.
Current exhibit includes:
Short Cuirass, Rectangular iron plates joined with leather, From Obaka Tumulus, Gojo-shi, Nara, Kofun period, 4th - 5th century, (Gift of Mr. Yoshida Eiichi and others)
Neck Guard and Scapula Guard (copy), Copied by Ito Hidekazu, Original: From Nihonmatsuyama Tumulus, Eiheiji-cho, Fukui, Original: Kofun period, 5th century, (Gift of the artist)
Collar Guard (copy), Copied by Endo Junji, Original: From Enshoji-Hakayama Tumulus, Nara-shi, Nara, Original: Kofun period, 5th century
Short Cuirass, Banded style with horizontal iron bands joined with leather, From Eta-Funayama Tumulus, Nagomi-cho, Tamana-gun, Kumamoto, Kofun period, 5th - 6th century, (National Treasure)
Beaked Helmet, Vertical iron bands riveted together, From Tumulus at Shimokanaya, Chichibu-shi, Saitama, Kofun period, 6th century
Personal Accessories and Ritual Objects
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 1, 2010 (Tue) - December 12, 2010 (Sun)
Post Jomon Culture of Hokkaido
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 1, 2010 (Tue) - December 12, 2010 (Sun)
Daily Tools of Yayoi
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 1, 2010 (Tue) - December 12, 2010 (Sun)
Metalwork of the Yayoi Period
1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 1, 2010 (Tue) - December 12, 2010 (Sun)
1st floor: Thematic Exhibition
Annotated Huainanzi (Classical Chinese philosophical treatise), Vol. 20, Transcribed on reverse side of Akihagijo (Collection of poems and letters), Tang dynasty, 7 - 8th century, China (National Treasure)
Paper in Japan, China and Korea
1st floor: Thematic Exhibition
Thematic Exhibition Room
September 28, 2010 (Tue) - October 24, 2010 (Sun)
>> detailed information
Looking closely at the paper from Japan, China and Korea with scientific devices such as microscopes and special light enables us to see the differences between each type of paper. This exhibit features paper from these three origins according to type, characteristics, and production method.
Current exhibit includes:
Collected Writings of Wang Bo, Vols. 29 & 30, Tang dynasty, 7th - 8th century, China (National Treasure)
Annotated Huainanzi (Classical Chinese philosophical treatise), Vol. 20, Transcribed on reverse side of Akihagijo (Collection of poems and letters), Tang dynasty, 7 - 8th century, China (National Treasure)
Hoke Kyo (Lotus Sutra), vol. 6, On colored paper, Heian period, 12th century (National Treasure, Lent by Kongobuji, Wakayama)
Modern Sculpture
1st floor: Thematic Exhibition
Corridor
April 6, 2010 (Tue) - April 3, 2011 (Sun)
Including:
Mr. Tobari Kogan, By Ogiwara Morie, dated 1909
Eva, By Auguste Rodin, 19th century