Ainu and Ryūkyū
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Cinerary Urn
Okinawa Main Island; Tsuboya ware, Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 19th centuryJapanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 6
August 4, 2026 (Tue) - October 25, 2026 (Sun)The Ryukyu Kingdom reigned over the Nansei islands, which include 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 exposure burials.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Tray with Dragons | Okinawa Main Island | Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 18th–19th century | H-4484 | On exhibit through September 13, 2026 | ||
| Highlight | Covered Food Tray with a Landscape, Pavilion, and Figures | Okinawa Main Island | Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 19th century | H-3586 | On exhibit from September 15, 2026 | ||
| Highlight | Hairpin for a Priestess | Amami Ōshima Island | Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 18th century | Gift of Ms. Yamato Ryōko, K-39055 | |||
| 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 | Bottle | Okinawa Main Island | Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 19th century | E-19111 | |||
| Highlight | Gourd-Shaped Liquor Bottle | Okinawa Main Island; Tsuboya ware | Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, late 18th–19th century | G-3964 | |||
| Highlight | Spouted Pot with a Handle | Okinawa Main Island; Tsuboya ware | Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, late 18th–19th century | K-25949 | |||
| Highlight | Cinerary Urn | Okinawa Main Island; Tsuboya ware | Second Shō dynasty, Ryukyu kingdom, 19th century | G-3968 |