Ainu Designs and Decorative Art Objects of Ryukyu
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Ritual Hoe-Shaped Crest
Hokkaido Ainu, Found in Kuriyama Town, Hokkaido, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Oda Katsukichi and Mr. Izumi Rintarō)Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 6
May 12, 2026 (Tue) - August 2, 2026 (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 is currently displaying traditional Ainu designs. Exhibits include the Ainu people’s clothing,ceremonial objects, 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 toys— 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 | Hood | Hokkaido Ainu | 19th century | Transferred from the Bureau for the Vienna World Exposition, K-25649 | On exhibit through June 21, 2026 | ||
| Highlight | Necklace | Hokkaido Ainu | 19th century | Gift of Mr. Tokugawa Yorisada, K-27705 | |||
| Belt with Decorative Fittings | Sakhalin Ainu | 19th century | Gift of the Hokkaido Project Management Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce, K-25741 | ||||
| Highlight | Ritual Hoe-Shaped Crest | Hokkaido Ainu, Found in Kuriyama Town, Hokkaido | 19th century | Gift of Mr. Oda Katsukichi and Mr. Izumi Rintarō, K-27529-2 | |||
| Highlight | Coat Known as "What We Sewed Up" | Hokkaido Ainu (Abuta) | 19th century | Gift of Mr. Tokugawa Yorisada, K-27890 | On exhibit through June 21, 2026 | ||
| Highlight | Coat | Hokkaido Ainu | 19th century | Gift of the Hokkaido Project Management Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce, K-25886 | On exhibit from June 23, 2026 | ||
| Highlight | Chinese Chess (Xiangqi) | Okinawa Main Island | Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 19th century | K-26027 | |||
| Highlight | Upper Garment with Bamboo Curtains, Cypress Fans, Wisterias, and Clematis | Amami Ōshima Island | Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 19th century | Gift of Ms. Yamato Ryōko, K-39059 |