Memorial of the Second National Industrial Exhibition
The first three National Industrial Exhibitions, which the Meiji government organized as part of its industrial policy, took place in Ueno Park. The Japanese first ever museum in naming and in reality, of red brick and located just north of the current Honkan building, was constructed for the First National Industrial Exhibition in 1877. The former Honkan designed by Josiah Conder (British architect, 1852-1920), which was used for the Second National Industrial Exhibition, was built in front of it in 1882. The First Exhibition witnessed more than 450,000 visitors during its 102 days of opening, the Second 820,000 visitors during 122 days. These exhibitions not only greatly improved the industrial capacity of the nation, but the multitude of art objects exhibited also developed a more general appreciation of the arts. Special budged plans were designed for the Museum to purchase the objects exhibited, which still marks an important part of its applied arts objects collection of the Meiji period. This memorial for the Second Exhibition is the only one in existence.