Decorative Arts of Ryukyu
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Ryukyuan Roof Tile
Found at the Shuri Castle site, Okinawa, Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 18th–19th centuryJapanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 16
June 10, 2025 (Tue) - August 31, 2025 (Sun)The Ryukyu Kingdom reigned over the Nansei islands, which includes the Okinawa main island, from the 1400s. The kingdom developed its unique culture through trade with regions in Asia including China, Japan, the Korean Peninsula, and Southeast Asia.
This exhibit presents a range of Ryukyuan artifacts. These include metalwork objects including personal accessories; colorful textiles which would stand out brilliantly against the tropical sunlight; and ceramics and lacquerware that arose out of interactions with surrounding regions such as China and Japan. It also features ritualistic artifacts, such as articles associated with hereditary priestesses called noro, who took charge of ceremonial rites, as well as those used for a unique funerary custom in which the bones of the deceased were washed after sky burials.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Octagonal Food Box with Landscapes with Pavilions | Okinawa Main Island | Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, late 18th–19th century | TH-17 | On exhibit through July 21, 2025 | ||
| Hairpin for Women | Okinawa Main Island | Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 19th century | TE-449 | ||||
| Highlight | Hair Ornament for Infants | Okinawa Main Island | Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 19th century | K-25929 | On exhibit from July 23, 2025 | ||
| Highlight | Tray | Okinawa Main Island | Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 19th century | H-3583-2 | On exhibit from July 23, 2025 | ||
| Highlight | Ryukyuan Roof Tile | Found at the Shuri Castle site, Okinawa | Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 18th–19th century | J-25364-962 | |||
| Highlight | Robe with Haze, Cherry Blossoms, Chrysanthemums, and Birds | Okinawa Main Island | Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 19th century | J. Front Retailing Archives, Aichi | On exhibit through July 21, 2025 | ||
| Highlight | Robe with a Repeating Landscape | Okinawa Main Island | Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 19th century | I-3484 | On exhibit from July 23, 2025 | ||
| Highlight | Robe with an Ikat Pattern | Okinawa Main Island | Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 19th century | J. Front Retailing Archives, Aichi | On exhibit from July 23, 2025 | ||
| Upper Garment with Dragons among Clouds | Amami Ōshima Island | Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 19th century | Gift of Ms. Yamato Ryōko, K-39058 | On exhibit through July 21, 2025 | |||
| Robe with Latticework | Amami Ōshima Island | Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 19th century | Gift of Ms. Yamato Ryoko, K-39095 | On exhibit from July 23, 2025 |