Crocodile, Northeastern region of New Guinea, Melanesia, Second half of 19th-early 20th century (Gift of Mr. Fujikawa Seijiro)
Asian Gallery (Toyokan) Room 13
November 10, 2020 (Tue) - February 7, 2021 (Sun)
Located directly south of Japan, the South Pacific is comprised of tens of thousands of islands, including New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago. Around 4,000 years ago, humans migrated from mainland Asia and settled across certain regions of the South Pacific, developing their own cultures and beliefs.
Melanesia encompasses the southwestern region of the South Pacific and is home to many cultures where spirit worship is widely practiced, including ancestor worship. These spirits are traditionally represented in a rich array of forms, such as masks and funerary figures called kulap. This section of the gallery is currently showcasing Melanesia’s unique religious carvings, including spirit masks used in funerary rites and a wooden crocodile.
Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
Highlight | Male Funerary Figure ("Kulap") | New Ireland, Melanesia | Second half of 19th century | Gift of Mr. Yoshijima Tokiyasu, TK-2011 | |||
Highlight | Female Funerary Figure ("Kulap") | New Ireland, Melanesia | Second half of 19th century | Gift of Mr. Yoshijima Tokiyasu, TK-2193 | |||
Highlight | Crocodile | Northeastern region of New Guinea, Melanesia | Second half of 19th–start of 20th century | Gift of Mr. Fujikawa Seijirō, TK-2804 |