Tōkyō Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan Kōko Tenjishitsu ni ikō: All about Japanese archaeology at the Tokyo National Museum

Abstract

"Archaeology is the study of excavated sites and artifacts to better inform our understanding of humanity's history. Since its establishment in 1872, the Tokyo National Museum (TNM) has supported efforts to protect cultural heritage by collecting and conserving archaeological materials found across Japan. The Japanese Archaeology Gallery was opened on the first floor of the Museum's Heiseikan building in 1999 to allow visitors to engage with these artifacts more closely. After completing major renovations in 2015, the gallery reopened under the title Japanese Archaeology: History Unearthed with exhibitions that encouraged a deeper understanding of Japan's history and culture. Additionally, Room 1 'Ancient Art' on the second floor of the Japanese Gallery presents archaeological materials in the context of art history, and visitors to both galleries can examine objects through the dual lenses of archaeology and art history. This guidebook takes readers through the exhibits in the Japanese Archacology Gallery while highlighting key events in Japan's history"-- Foreword.