Jump to content
Font Size：

Language

Family Gallery
All About Elephants at the Museum

  • Image of "Elephant-Shaped Incense Burner, By Tōgō Jukatsu, Meiji era, 19th century"

    Elephant-Shaped Incense Burner, By Tōgō Jukatsu, Meiji era, 19th century

    Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room T2
    April 22, 2025 (Tue) - June 1, 2025 (Sun)

    Every year, the Tokyo National Museum holds a joint thematic exhibition related to animals together with other institutions in Ueno. Along with the Ueno Zoological Gardens and the National Museum of Nature and Science, we are proud to introduce this year's thematic exhibition on elephants.
    The present exhibition is divided into smaller sub-themes, namely: “Prologue: Encountering Elephants,” “Elephants and Religious Beliefs,” “The World of Ivory,” and “Wonderful Elephant Shapes.” By engaging with the elephant-themed works from Japan and various other countries in Asia, we hope that you can come to understand how humans have interacted with elephants throughout history, as well as how this relationship has been expressed through decorative art objects.

    List of Exhibits

Major works in this exhibition

* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.

The Museum's Album of Beasts, Compiled by the Museum Bureau, Meiji era, 19th century

Elephant-Shaped Incense Burner, By Tōgō Jukatsu, Meiji era, 19th century

Elephant-Shaped Incense Burner, Edo period–Meiji era, 19th century

 

Pamphlet

Family Gallery All About Elephants at the Museum

Family Gallery
All About Elephants at the Museum

This pamphlet is also available at the information desk in the Honkan during the exhibition period.
PDF（16.4MB）

 

Exhibitions