The Prayers of the Ainu and Decorative Art Objects of Ryūkyū
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Five-Stringed Harp
Hokkaidō Ainu, 19th centuryJapanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 16
September 14, 2021 (Tue) - December 5, 2021 (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 sheds light on forms of prayer among the Ainu people. Exhibits consist of spiritual and ritualistic objects, including ritual spatulas, accessories such as crowns and necklaces, and a range of tools used for bear sacrifice ceremonies.
Representing a southern culture, decorative art objects from the Ryūkyū Kingdom—mainly lacquerware and textiles—are also on display in this gallery. The Ryūkyū Kingdom developed its unique culture through trade with regions in Asia including China, Japan, the Korean Peninsula, and Southeast Asia.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Sea Turtle Skull | Hokkaidō Ainu | 19th century | K-25746 | |||
| Highlight | Ritual Crown | Sakhalin Ainu | 19th century | Gift of Mr. Tokugawa Yorisada, K-28102 | |||
| Highlight | Sash with Decorative Fittings | Sakhalin Ainu | 19th century | Gift of the Hokkaidō Project Management Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce, K-25741 | |||
| Highlight | Five-Stringed Harp | Hokkaidō Ainu | 19th century | H-3699 | |||
| Highlight | Ritual Hoe-Shaped Crest | Hokkaidō Ainu, Found in Kuriyama Town, Hokkaidō | 19th century | Gift of Mr. Oda Katsukichi and Mr. Izumi Rintaro, K-27529-1 | |||
| Highlight | Cinerary Urn | Okinawa Main Island; Tsuboya ware | Second Shō dynasty, Ryūkyū kingdom, 19th century | K-26023 | |||
| Highlight | Robe with Waves, Pines, Plum Blossoms, and Autumn Leaves | Okinawa Main Island | Second Shō dynasty, Ryūkyū kingdom, 19th century | I-3475 | On exhibit through October 24, 2021 | ||
| Highlight | Robe with a Stylized Well Curb Pattern | Okinawa Main Island | Meiji era, 20th century | I-3479 | On exhibit from October 26, 2021 |