Tea Set, Okinawa Main Island, Second Sho dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 19th century (On exhibit from August 9, 2016)
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 16
July 12, 2016 (Tue) - September 25, 2016 (Sun)
Tokyo National Museum's collection of ethnological materials from Ryukyu (present-day Okinawa) is mainly comprised of objects purchased by the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce from Okinawa prefecture in 1884. In 1882, the German Anthropological Society requested the Ministry to collect ethnological objects from Ryukyu as reference materials for their research. Materials sent back from Germany and spare copies left in Tokyo were transferred to this museum.
This display introduces chic decorative art objects from Ryukyu, including glistening metalwork objects, vivid, beautiful textiles, ceramics that have incorporated a variety of influences, lacquerware showing Chinese influence, and various jade objects thought to have been used by noro.
Current exhibit includes:
Covered Food Tray, Landscape, pavilion, and figure design in [haku-e] lacquer (gold leaf imprint), Ryukyu, Second Sho dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 19th century (On exhibit through August 7, 2016)
Tea Set, Okinawa Main Island, Second Sho dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 19th century (On exhibit from August 9, 2016)
Hair Ornament for Noro (Female shaman), Amami Oshima Island, Second Sho dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 18th century (Gift of Ms. Yamato Ryoko)
Ritual Bead Necklace, Amami Oshima Island, Second Sho dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 19th century (Gift of Ms. Yamato Ryoko, On exhibit from August 9, 2016)
Liquor Bottle, Okinawa Main Island, Tsuboya ware, Second Sho dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 19th century
Cinerary Urn, Okinawa Main Island, Tsuboya ware, Second Sho Dynasty, Ryukyu Kingdom, 19th century