Historical Records
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Volume 30, "Notes on Food" from Heart of Medicine (Ishinpō) (detail), Compiled by Tanba no Yasuyori, Heian period, 12th century (National Treasure, On exhibit from May 14, 2024)
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 15
April 9, 2024 (Tue) - June 9, 2024 (Sun)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 | National Treasure | Volume 1, "Treating the Body" from"Heart of Medicine ("Ishinpō")" | Compiled by Tanba no Yasuyori (912–95) | Heian period, 12th century | B-3178-1 | On exhibit through May 12, 2024 | |
| Highlight | National Treasure | Volume 30, "Notes on Food" from "Heart of Medicine ("Ishinpō")" | Compiled by Tanba no Yasuyori (912–95) | Heian period, 12th century | B-3178-31 | On exhibit from May 14, 2024 | |
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Maps of the Tōkaidō Road: The Shinagawa and Kawasaki Post Towns | Compiled by the Office of Transportation, Previously owned by the Asakusa Bunko Library | Edo period, 1806 | P-582-1 | ||
| Highlight | The Sanmon Gate at Zōjōji Temple | Photographer unknown | Meiji era, 19th century | R-633 | On exhibit through May 12, 2024 | ||
| Highlight | The Sanmon Gate at Zōjōji Temple | Photographer unknown | Meiji era, 19th century | R-634 | On exhibit from May 14, 2024 |