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.

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)

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

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 8, 2026 (Tue) -
March 14, 2027 (Sun)
Permanent Settlements and the Creation of Pottery

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 8, 2026 (Tue) -
March 14, 2027 (Sun)
Interaction with the Asian Continent and the Pottery of an Agricultural Society

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 8, 2026 (Tue) -
March 14, 2027 (Sun)
Political Maturation and the Creation of Symbols of Authority

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
November 29, 2026 (Sun)
The Yamato Kingdom and the Production of Symbols of Authority

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
November 29, 2026 (Sun)
Large Burial Mounds and the Increase in Metal Production

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
November 29, 2026 (Sun)
The Rise of Provincial Clans and the Development of a Unique Culture

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
November 29, 2026 (Sun)
Late Burial Mounds and Influence from the Asian Continent

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
November 29, 2026 (Sun)
The Beginnings of a State under the Ritsuryō System

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 15, 2026 (Tue) -
March 22, 2027 (Mon)
Mountain Worship and the Belief in the Decline of Buddhism

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 15, 2026 (Tue) -
March 22, 2027 (Mon)
Life and Death in the Kamakura Period

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 15, 2026 (Tue) -
March 22, 2027 (Mon)
Objects Excavated from Edo

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 15, 2026 (Tue) -
March 22, 2027 (Mon)

Stemmed Projectile Point
Found in Tokorozawa City, Saitama, Jōmon period, 11,000–7000 BC

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

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 8, 2026 (Tue) - March 14, 2027 (Sun)

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.

List of Exhibits

Deep Vessel
Found in Hachinohe City, Aomori, Jōmon period, 4000-3000 BC

Permanent Settlements and the Creation of Pottery

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 8, 2026 (Tue) - March 14, 2027 (Sun)

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.

List of Exhibits

Jar
Found in Munakata City, Fukuoka, Yayoi period, 4th–3rd century BC

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

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 8, 2026 (Tue) - March 14, 2027 (Sun)

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.

List of Exhibits

Slant-Rimmed Mirror with Two Deities and Two Beasts
Found at the Samita Takarazuka Tumulus, Nara, Kofun period, 4th–5th century (Created in China, 2nd–3rd century) (Important Cultural Property)

Political Maturation and the Creation of Symbols of Authority

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) - November 29, 2026 (Sun)

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.

List of Exhibits

Triangular-Rimmed Mirror with Three Deities and Three Beasts
Found at the Kikkōzan Tumulus, Ōita, Kofun period, 4th century

The Yamato Kingdom and the Production of Symbols of Authority

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) - November 29, 2026 (Sun)

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.

List of Exhibits

Mirror with a Pictorial Band, Deities, and Beasts
Found at the Ushizuka Tumulus, Tochigi, Kofun period, 5th–6th century

Large Burial Mounds and the Increase in Metal Production

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) - November 29, 2026 (Sun)

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.

List of Exhibits

Saddle Fitting Fragments (detail)
Found at the Ashikaga Kōenroku Tumulus, Tochigi, Kofun period, 6th–7th century (Gift of Mr. Ogawa Kōzaburō)

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

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) - November 29, 2026 (Sun)

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.

List of Exhibits

Coffin
Found at the Honbōsan Tumulus, Okayama, Kofun (or Asuka) period, 7th century

Late Burial Mounds and Influence from the Asian Continent

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) - November 29, 2026 (Sun)

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.

List of Exhibits

Round Eave-End Tile with a Lotus Flower
Found at Asukadera Temple, Nara, Asuka period, 6th–7th century

The Beginnings of a State under the Ritsuryō System

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 15, 2026 (Tue) - March 22, 2027 (Mon)

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.

List of Exhibits

The God Zaō Gongen
Found at the Mount Ōmine Peak Site, Nara, Heian period, 10th–12th century (Important Art Object)

Mountain Worship and the Belief in the Decline of Buddhism

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 15, 2026 (Tue) - March 22, 2027 (Mon)

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.

List of Exhibits

Pagoda-Shaped Cinerary Urn
Found in Ojiya City, Niigata, Kamakura period, 1328

Life and Death in the Kamakura Period

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 15, 2026 (Tue) - March 22, 2027 (Mon)

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 Kantō region around present-day Tokyo. Many of these tablets are similar in form and are thought to have deep connections with warriors of the Kantō region.

List of Exhibits

Gold Coin (Ōban) Minted in the Keichō Era
Found in an unknown location, Azuchi-Momoyama–Edo period, 16th–17th century (Gift of Mr. Okawa Isao)

Objects Excavated from Edo

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 15, 2026 (Tue) - March 22, 2027 (Mon)

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.

List of Exhibits

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)

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

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
December 20, 2026 (Sun)
Dogū: Objects of Prayer in the Jomon Period

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 8, 2026 (Tue) -
March 14, 2027 (Sun)
Objects of Prayer and Accessories in the Jomon Period

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 8, 2026 (Tue) -
March 14, 2027 (Sun)
Daily Tools of the Yayoi Period

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 8, 2026 (Tue) -
March 14, 2027 (Sun)
Daily Tools of the Yayoi Period

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 8, 2026 (Tue) -
March 14, 2027 (Sun)
Accessories of the Yayoi Period

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 8, 2026 (Tue) -
March 14, 2027 (Sun)
Bronze Ritual Implements of the Yayoi Period

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 8, 2026 (Tue) -
March 14, 2027 (Sun)
The Post-Jomon Culture in Hokkaido

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 8, 2026 (Tue) -
March 14, 2027 (Sun)
Dated Mirrors and Inherited Mirrors

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
December 6, 2026 (Sun)
Tomb Mounds on Tsushima Island
The Daishōgun’yama Tumulus

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
December 6, 2026 (Sun)
Miniature Stone Models Unearthed from Tomb Mounds

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
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

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
December 6, 2026 (Sun)
The Development of Bead Production

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
December 6, 2026 (Sun)
Kofun-Period Culture in the Jōsō Region: Stone Headrests and Flower-Shaped Ornaments

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
December 6, 2026 (Sun)
The Sound of Ancient Bells

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
December 6, 2026 (Sun)
Objects Owned by Ritualistic Leaders

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
December 6, 2026 (Sun)
The Niizawa Senzuka Tombs and Exchange with the Asian Continent

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
December 6, 2026 (Sun)
Ancient Swords with Inscriptions and the Society of the Kofun Period

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
December 6, 2026 (Sun)
The Eta Funayama Burial Mound and the Advanced Culture of Provincial Clans

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
December 6, 2026 (Sun)
Development of Figural Haniwa Tomb Figurines

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
December 20, 2026 (Sun)
Tomb Sculptures (Haniwa) and Funerary Rites

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
December 20, 2026 (Sun)
Ancient Coins

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 15, 2026 (Tue) -
March 22, 2027 (Mon)
Ancient Japanese Tomb Epitaphs

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 15, 2026 (Tue) -
March 22, 2027 (Mon)
Ancient Glazed Stoneware

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 15, 2026 (Tue) -
March 22, 2027 (Mon)
Unearthed Clay Statues

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 15, 2026 (Tue) -
March 22, 2027 (Mon)
Sutra Mounds: Time Capsules for 5,670,000,000 Years

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 15, 2026 (Tue) -
March 22, 2027 (Mon)
Huzhou Mirrors: Chinese Mirrors Excavated from Japanese Sutra Mounds

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 15, 2026 (Tue) -
March 22, 2027 (Mon)
Buddhist Scriptures Buried in Sutra Mounds: Clay Tablets, Stones, and Bronze Plates with Sutra Inscriptions

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 15, 2026 (Tue) -
March 22, 2027 (Mon)
Excavated Gold Coins of the Edo Period

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 15, 2026 (Tue) -
March 22, 2027 (Mon)
Toys from the Edo Period (1603–1868)

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 15, 2026 (Tue) -
March 22, 2027 (Mon)

Tomb Sculpture (Haniwa): Dressed-Up Woman
Found in Isesaki City, Gunma, Kofun period, 6th century (Important Cultural Property)

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

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) - December 20, 2026 (Sun)

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.

List of Exhibits

Figurine (Dogū) with Goggle-Like Eyes
Found in Tsugaru City, Aomori, Jōmon period, 1000–400 BC (Important Cultural Property)

Dogū: Objects of Prayer in the Jomon Period

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 8, 2026 (Tue) - March 14, 2027 (Sun)

The most prominent objects of prayer from the Jomon period (ca. 11,000 BC–ca. 5th century BC) are dogu clay figurines. Even the earliest examples of these figurines have breasts, which suggests that they represent women, and their protruding bellies probably symbolize pregnancy. Therefore, it is believed that dogu figurines were created to pray for easy delivery of children, the birth of many children, and fertility.

List of Exhibits

Object Shaped Like a Japanese Character
Found in Matsumoto City, Nagano, Jōmon period, 3000–2000 BC

Objects of Prayer and Accessories in the Jomon Period

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 8, 2026 (Tue) - March 14, 2027 (Sun)

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.

List of Exhibits

Arrowheads
Found in Nagawa Town, Nagano, Jōmon period, 7000–3000 BC

Daily Tools of the Yayoi Period

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 8, 2026 (Tue) - March 14, 2027 (Sun)

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.

List of Exhibits

Polished Axe
Found from Tenryū River, Nagano, Yayoi period, 2nd–1st century BC

Daily Tools of the Yayoi Period

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 8, 2026 (Tue) - March 14, 2027 (Sun)

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 rice reapers 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.

List of Exhibits

Comma-Shaped Bead (Magatama)
Found in Itoshima City, Fukuoka, Yayoi period, 2nd–1st century BC

Accessories of the Yayoi Period

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 8, 2026 (Tue) - March 14, 2027 (Sun)

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.

List of Exhibits

Bell (Dōtaku)
Reportedly found in Kagawa Prefecture, Yayoi period, 2nd–1st century BC (National Treasure)

Bronze Ritual Implements of the Yayoi Period

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 8, 2026 (Tue) - March 14, 2027 (Sun)

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.

List of Exhibits

Spouted Vessel
Found on the Hokkaido University grounds, Hokkaido, Epi-Jōmon period, 2nd–7th century

The Post-Jomon Culture in Hokkaido

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 8, 2026 (Tue) - March 14, 2027 (Sun)

A variety of stone tools were used during this period, including single- and double-edged polished stone axes, as well as stone knives and harpoon heads for hunting and butchering sea mammals and other animals. There are also unique fish-shaped stones that were probably used as bait for fishing. Pottery continued to feature rich decorations. Additionally, cylindrical jewelry made out of jasper from Sado island, objects made out of seashells from Japan’s southern seas, and iron tools have also been excavated. These objects suggest interaction with the Yayoi culture on the mainland as well as cultures on the Asian continent via the island of Sakhalin to the north.

List of Exhibits

Mirror with Deities, Mythical Beasts, and a Chariot
Found at the Samita Takarazuka Tumulus, Nara, Kofun period, 4th–5th century; created in China, 2nd–3rd century (Important Cultural Property)

Dated Mirrors and Inherited Mirrors

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) - December 6, 2026 (Sun)

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.

List of Exhibits

Mirror with Mythical Birds (Kuifeng)
Found at the Daishōgun'yama Tumulus, Nagasaki, Kofun period, 4th–5th century

Tomb Mounds on Tsushima Island
The Daishōgun’yama Tumulus

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) - December 6, 2026 (Sun)

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.

List of Exhibits

Ritual Chisel
Found at the Samita Takarazuka Tumulus, Nara, Kofun period, 4th–5th century (Important Cultural Property)

Miniature Stone Models Unearthed from Tomb Mounds

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) - December 6, 2026 (Sun)

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.

List of Exhibits

Horse Cheek Plates with Bells
Found at the Uenoyama Tumulus, Yamaguchi, Kofun period, 5th–6th century (Gift of Toyonishi-village, Yamaguchi)

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

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) - December 6, 2026 (Sun)

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.

List of Exhibits

Comma-Shaped Bead ("Magatama")
Found at the Taniguchi Tumulus, Saga, Kofun period, 4th–5th century

The Development of Bead Production

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) - December 6, 2026 (Sun)

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.

List of Exhibits

Flower-Shaped Ornament for a Stone Headrest
Found in Kōzaki Town, Chiba, Kofun period, 5th–6th century

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

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) - December 6, 2026 (Sun)

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.

List of Exhibits

Mirror with Seven Bells
Found at the Mikuradō Site, Nara, Kofun period, 5th–6th century

The Sound of Ancient Bells

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) - December 6, 2026 (Sun)

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.

List of Exhibits

Triangular-Rimmed Mirror with Deities and Beasts
Found at the Kamihirakawa Ōtsuka Tumulus, Shizuoka, Kofun period, 4th century

Objects Owned by Ritualistic Leaders

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) - December 6, 2026 (Sun)

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.

List of Exhibits

Square Decorative Plate
Found at the Niizawa Senzuka No. 126 Tumulus, Nara, Kofun period, 5th century (Important Cultural Property)

The Niizawa Senzuka Tombs and Exchange with the Asian Continent

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) - December 6, 2026 (Sun)

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.

List of Exhibits

Sword with an Inscription (detail)
Found at the Eta Funayama Tumulus, Kumamoto, Kofun period, 5th–6th century (National Treasure)

Ancient Swords with Inscriptions and the Society of the Kofun Period

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) - December 6, 2026 (Sun)

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.

List of Exhibits

Shoes
Found at the Eta Funayama Tumulus, Kumamoto, Kofun period, 5th–6th century (National Treasure)

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

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) - December 6, 2026 (Sun)

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.

List of Exhibits

Tomb Sculpture (Haniwa): Monkey
Reportedly found at the Dainichizuka Tumulus, Ibaraki, Kofun period, 6th century (Important Cultural Property)

Development of Figural Haniwa Tomb Figurines

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) - December 20, 2026 (Sun)

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.

List of Exhibits

Tomb Sculpture (Haniwa): Boat
Found at the Saitobaru Tumulus No. 170, Miyazaki, Kofun period, 5th century (Important Cultural Property)

Tomb Sculptures (Haniwa) and Funerary Rites

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) - December 20, 2026 (Sun)

List of Exhibits

Coins (Kaiki Shōhō)
Found in Nara City, Nara, Nara period, 8th century (Important Cultural Property)

Ancient Coins

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 15, 2026 (Tue) - March 22, 2027 (Mon)

Coins known as wado kaichin, which were minted in 708 (Wado 1), represent the first serious effort in Japan to mint coins for circulation. 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.

List of Exhibits

Epitaphs of Oharida no Yasumaro(detail)
Found at Oharida no Yasumaro's Tomb, Nara, Nara period, 729 (Important Cultural Property)

Ancient Japanese Tomb Epitaphs

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 15, 2026 (Tue) - March 22, 2027 (Mon)

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.

List of Exhibits

Lobed Bowl
Found at the Hayashi B Site, Kanagawa, Heian period, 9th century (Lent by Hiratsuka City Education Committee, Kanagawa)

Ancient Glazed Stoneware

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 15, 2026 (Tue) - March 22, 2027 (Mon)

Ancient Japanese glazed stoneware includes stoneware glazed with ash, three-color, and green glazes. Such varieties of Japanese stoneware evolved while being greatly influenced by imported equivalents, such as glazed porcelain and celadon-glazed stoneware, which were brought in through trade from continental Asia and the Korean Peninsula.

List of Exhibits

Sculpture Fragments
Found at Tachibana Temple, Nara, Asuka period, 7th century

Unearthed Clay Statues

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 15, 2026 (Tue) - March 22, 2027 (Mon)

Techniques for making clay statues were brought to Japan in the mid-7th century, and numerous statues of this type were made between the late Asuka and Nara periods, from the mid-7th to the 8th century. From unearthed clay statues, which are often found in fragments with their original colors faded, techniques for making them can be determined, and the existence of unrecorded, nonextant temples can be confirmed.

List of Exhibits

Sutra Case
Found at the Kashioyama Sutra Mound, Yamanashi, Heian period, 1103 (Important Cultural Property)

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

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 15, 2026 (Tue) - March 22, 2027 (Mon)

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.

List of Exhibits

Huzhou Mirror
Found at the Harayamadera Sutra Mound, Fukuoka, Heian–Kamakura period, 12th–13th century; created in Southern-Song-dynasty China

Huzhou Mirrors: Chinese Mirrors Excavated from Japanese Sutra Mounds

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 15, 2026 (Tue) - March 22, 2027 (Mon)

Huzhou mirrors are a representative type of mirror excavated from sutra mounds in Japan. Produced in the Huzhou region of Zhejiang Province during China’s Song dynasty (960–1279), they are distinguished by reverse sides decorated solely with a seal-like inscription composed of several Chinese characters. We invite you to compare them with Japanese mirrors that retain the earlier Tang-dynasty style predating Huzhou mirrors, which is characterized by its dense, intricate designs, as well as with Japanese mirrors featuring simple decorative designs influenced by Huzhou mirrors.

List of Exhibits

Tablet with Sutra Text (detail)
Reportedly found at Chōanji Temple, Ōita, Heian period, 1141 (Important Art Object)

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

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 15, 2026 (Tue) - March 22, 2027 (Mon)

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.

List of Exhibits

Coin (Koban) Minted in the Keichō Era
Found off the coast of Ōshima Town, Tokyo, Edo period, 17th century

Excavated Gold Coins of the Edo Period

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 15, 2026 (Tue) - March 22, 2027 (Mon)

In February of 1957, a man harvesting shellfish about 250 meters off the coast of Tokyo’s Izu Ōshima island accidentally discovered koban coins on the sea bed. Following this incident, a total of 103 koban and 63 ichibukin, which are smaller and rectangular, were found. The reason for why these gold coins were lost at sea is still a mystery.

List of Exhibits

Game Pieces (Men'uchi)
Found at an unidentified location, Edo period, 17th–19th century (Gift of Mr. Goto Shuichi)

Toys from the Edo Period (1603–1868)

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

September 15, 2026 (Tue) - March 22, 2027 (Mon)

A wide variety of toys were created in the Edo period. Ceramic pieces for a game called men’uchi, in which players try to strike their opponents’ pieces with their own, are particularly well known. These pieces were shaped like letters, family crests, people, and animals. Clay figurines, on the other hand,

reflected contemporary beliefs related to magic, religion, good fortune, seasonal events, and moral teachings.

List of Exhibits

1st floor: Thematic Exhibition

Thematic Exhibition

Living with Horses During the Kofun Period: Nagano Prefecture Through the Eyes of Immigrants from the Korean Peninsula

1st floor: Thematic Exhibition
Thematic Exhibition Room

September 29, 2026 (Tue) -
December 20, 2026 (Sun)

Horse Bit
Found at the Hōsōgamizuka Tumulus, Nagano, Kofun period, 6th century (Important Art Object)

Thematic Exhibition

Living with Horses During the Kofun Period: Nagano Prefecture Through the Eyes of Immigrants from the Korean Peninsula

1st floor: Thematic Exhibition
Thematic Exhibition Room

September 29, 2026 (Tue) - December 20, 2026 (Sun)

2026 is the Year of the Horse. Horses were brought to the Japanese archipelago from the Korean Peninsula during the Kofun period (ca. 3rd–7th century). Following this, modern-day Nagano Prefecture flourished as a horse-breeding hub after a major traveling route opened in the 5th century. Horse farms were established throughout the region, where people who migrated from the Korean Peninsula provided guidance on horse breeding.

As horse breeding became widely practiced, a wide range of horse-riding equipment was buried as grave goods in tomb mounds. Moreover, warriors on horseback came to demonstrate substantial presence in political upheavals of the central government.

This thematic exhibition introduces artifacts excavated from tomb mounds in Nagano Prefecture. By bringing together a total of eighteen little-known Important Art Objects, including artifacts excavated from the Kingaisan Tumulus, the exhibition aims to offer an opportunity to rediscover the appeal of tomb mounds in Nagano Prefecture.

Details

2nd floor: Special Exhibition

Special Exhibitions

Special Exhibition Celebrating the 700th Anniversary of the Temple's Founding | Daitokuji: A Zen Temple Beyond Compare

2nd floor: Special Exhibition
Special Exhibition Galleries

October 14, 2026 (Wed) -
December 6, 2026 (Sun)

Tea Bowl, Named “Kizaemon Ido” South Gyeongsang Province, Korea Joseon Dynasty, 16th century Collection of Kohōan Temple (National Treasure)

Special Exhibitions

Special Exhibition Celebrating the 700th Anniversary of the Temple's Founding | Daitokuji: A Zen Temple Beyond Compare

2nd floor: Special Exhibition
Special Exhibition Galleries

October 14, 2026 (Wed) - December 6, 2026 (Sun)

Located in the Murasakino District of Kyoto, Daitokuji Temple is considered to be the greatest Buddhist temple in northern Kyoto. It reflects the strict approach to Zen Buddhism taken by its founder, the prominent Buddhist monk Shūhō Myōchō (1282–1337), who served as the spiritual mentor for Emperors Godaigo (r. 1318–1339) and Hanazono (r. 1308–1318). The temple traces its origins to 1326, when Shūhō founded a Buddhist lecture hall. This came to be known as Daitokuji Temple, which today is complete with other Buddhist structures on its temple grounds. Emperor Godaigo reserved utmost reverence for Daitokuji, which he praised as being “a Zen temple beyond compare,” indicating its peerless position in Japan.

The temple has continued to carry the torch of Shūhō’s Zen Buddhist teachings, producing leading Buddhist monks such as Ikkyū Sōjun, Takuan Sōhō, and Kōgetsu Sōgan. Famous samurai warlords such as Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi also worshipped at the temple. Daitokuji also boasts magnificent paintings on its buildings’ sliding doors and walls, as well as numerous sub-temples with stunningly serene gardens. Furthermore, it is renowned also for its deep affinity with tea masters like Sen no Rikyū and Tsuda Sōkyū, as well as other individuals of refined tastes.

2026 marks the 700th anniversary of Daitokuji’s founding. To commemorate this occasion, the Tokyo National Museum is showcasing various treasures from Daitokuji Temple, as well as its sub-temples and associated temples. With this special exhibition, the Museum endeavors to introduce Daitokuji Temple’s rich history and culture.

Details

Exhibitions

Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan)

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)

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

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)

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

Dogū: Objects of Prayer in the Jomon Period

Objects of Prayer and Accessories in the Jomon Period

Daily Tools of the Yayoi Period

Daily Tools of the Yayoi Period

Accessories of the Yayoi Period

Bronze Ritual Implements of the Yayoi Period

The Post-Jomon Culture in Hokkaido

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 Japanese Tomb Epitaphs

Ancient Glazed Stoneware

Unearthed Clay Statues

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

Huzhou Mirrors: Chinese Mirrors Excavated from Japanese Sutra Mounds

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

Excavated Gold Coins of the Edo Period

Toys from the Edo Period (1603–1868)

1st floor: Thematic Exhibition

Living with Horses During the Kofun Period: Nagano Prefecture Through the Eyes of Immigrants from the Korean Peninsula

2nd floor: Special Exhibition

Special Exhibition Celebrating the 700th Anniversary of the Temple's Founding | Daitokuji: A Zen Temple Beyond Compare

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

Tomb Mounds on Tsushima Island
The Daishōgun’yama Tumulus