Ainu Designs and Decorative Art Objects of Ryukyu
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Spouted Vessel for Liquor or Tea, with Roundels, Okinawa Main Island; Tsuboya ware, Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, late 18th–19th century (Gift of Mr. Kawarada Moriharu)
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 16
July 9, 2024 (Tue) - September 23, 2024 (Mon)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 is currently displaying traditional Ainu designs. Exhibits include the Ainu people’s clothing, tableware, and various tools that feature a range of Ainu designs, a distinctive example of which is a whirl pattern.
Representing a southern culture, decorative art objects from the Ryukyu Kingdom—mainly textiles and daily tools—are also on display in this gallery. The Ryukyu 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 | Headdress for a Prince | Okinawa Main Island | Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 18th–19th century | K-28871 | On exhibit through August 18, 2024 | ||
| Highlight | Ritual Fan | Amami Ōshima Island | Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 19th century | Gift of Ms. Yamato Ryoko, K-39054 | On exhibit through August 18, 2024 | ||
| Highlight | Ritual Bead Necklace | Amami Ōshima Island | Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 19th century | K-25970 | |||
| Highlight | Rings | Okinawa Main Island | Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 19th century | TE-446 | |||
| Highlight | Food Box with Chrysanthemums | Okinawa Main Island | Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 19th century | H-4255 | On exhibit through August 18, 2024 | ||
| Highlight | Gourd-Shaped Liquor Bottle | Okinawa Main Island; Tsuboya ware | Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, late 18th–19th century | G-3964 | |||
| Highlight | Robe with Linked Pine-Bark Diamonds, Chrysanthemums, Camellias, and Cypress Fans | Okinawa Main Island | Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 19th century | I-2770 | On exhibit from August 20, 2024 | ||
| Highlight | Robe with a Stylized Well Curb Pattern | Okinawa Main Island | Meiji era, 20th century | I-3479 | On exhibit through August 18, 2024 |