Historical Records
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Album of Birds: Mountain Birds, Vol. 2 (detail), Compiled by Hotta Masaatsu, Edo period, 18th–19th century (On exhibit through January 14, 2024)
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 15
December 12, 2023 (Tue) - February 12, 2024 (Mon)Tokyo National Museum has more than artworks and archeological artifacts. The collection also includes records, which provide valuable insights into history and the cultures of different ethnic groups. This diversity stems from the Museum’s origins as a comprehensive institution in 1872. It was even home to animal, plant, and mineral specimens, although these were moved to the National Museum of Nature and Science in 1925.
The extensive collection of historical records at Tokyo National Museum now includes maps, diagrams, texts, photographs, ink rubbings, and copies of artworks. These items, dating mainly from the 17th to 20th century, shed light on politics, society, culture, transportation, and scenery in Japan. Here we display a selection of these items under different themes throughout the year.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Map of the Tōkaidō Road: Hiratsuka, Ōiso, Odawara, Hakone, and Hakone Gongen | Compiled by the Office of Transportation, Previously owned by the Asakusa Bunko Library | Edo period, 1806 | P-582-2 | The area of Hakone Post Town is on display. |