Hair Ornament for Noro (Female shaman), Amami Oshima Island, Second Sho dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 18th century (Gift of Ms. Yamato Ryoko)
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 16
June 4, 2019 (Tue) - September 8, 2019 (Sun)
Stretching from north to south, the Japanese archipelago is home to diverse cultures that have flourished in its rich natural environments. Representing such cultures from northern Japan, this gallery exhibits a range of items created by the Ainu people featuring their distinctive designs, a typical example of which is a moreu whirl pattern. These items include ritual implements, clothing, and wooden objects. Also on display in this gallery are decorative art objects from the Ryukyu Kingdom, representing a southern culture. The Ryukyu Kingdom developed its unique culture through trade and exchange with many regions including China, Japan, the Korean peninsula, and Southeast Asia. Metalwork objects and textiles created mainly during the Kingdom’s Second Sho dynasty (1469–1879) are featured here.
Current exhibit includes:
Ainu:
Hood, Hokkaido Ainu, 19th century, Transferred from the Bureau for the Vienna World Exposition
Container, Ethnic group unknown, 19th century (Gift of Ms. Hirako Hatsu)
Cup Stand, Hokkaido Ainu, 19th century, Transferred from the Bureau for the Vienna World Exposition
Ryukyu:
Hair Ornament for Noro (Female shaman), Amami Oshima Island, Second Sho dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 18th century (Gift of Ms. Yamato Ryoko)
Ewer, Okinawa Main Island, Second Sho dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 19th century