1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Four major works of each period)

Four Major Works of Each Period   Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - May 31, 2009 Exhibiting: Dogu Figurine, excavated from Goubara, Higashiagatsuma-machi, Gunma, late Jomon period (Important Cultural Property) Bronze Bell, reportedly excavated from Kagawa prefecture, Middle Yayoi period (National Treasure) Dancing People (terra-cotta tomb figurine), From Nohara, Kumagai-shi, Saitama, Kofun Period Bowl, Celadon glaze with carved lotus petals, Southern Song - Yuan dynasty, 13th - 14th century, China (Important Cultural Property)

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)

The Dawning of Japanese Culture   Paleolithic Period Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - May 31, 2009 Including: Stone Tools, 30,000 B.C. Polished Stone Axes, 30,000 B.C.

The Independence of Japanese Culture   Jomon Period Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - May 31, 2009 Including: Spouted vessel with human figure decorations, From Moheji, Hokuto-shi, Hokkaido, Jomon period, 2000 - 1000 B.C. (Important Cultural Property) ; Dogu, clay plates, clay objects, etc.

Becoming Part of the East Asian World   Yayoi Period I Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - May 31, 2009 Including: Jar, From Asagiri-machi, Kumamoto, Yayoi period, 1st - 3rd century (Important Cultural Property, Private collection) ; Pottery jars, wood plows, turtle-shaped pottery wares, etc.

The Start of Political Society  The Start of Political Society  Yayoi period II - Kofun period I Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - June 7, 2009 Including: Mirror with divinity and animal design, from Koganezuka Tumulus, Izumi-shi, Osaka, Kofun period (Important Cultural Property)

The Emergence of the Yamato   Kofun period II Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - June 7, 2009 Including: Mirror with hunting images, reportedly excavated from Hachimanbara-cho, Takasaki-shi, Gunma, Kofun period, 4th - 5th century (Important Cultural Property) Bronze Arrowheads, 4th century

The Five Kings of Yamato   Kofun period III Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - June 7, 2009 Including: Iron Sword with inlaid silver inscription, excavated from Edafunayama Tumulus, Kumamoto, Kofun period, 5th - 6th century (National Treasure) Mirror with human figures, derived from Sumidahachiman Jinja, Wakayama, Kofun period, 5th - 6th century (National Treasure, Lent by Sumidahachiman Jinja, Wakayama)

The Rise of Local Rulers   Kofun period IV Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - June 7, 2009 Including: Horse bit with "f"-shaped cheek ornaments, excavated from Edafunayama Tumulus, Kumamoto, Kofun period, 5th - 6th century (National Treasure)

Culture from the Silk Road   Kofun period V Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - June 7, 2009 Including: Cut glass bowl with round designs in relief, Iran, 6th century (Private collection)

From Tang to Nara and From Nara to the Rest of Japan   Nara period Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - June 28, 2009 Including: Three color-glazed jar, excavated from China, Nara period, 8th century

Aristocrats of the Ritsuryo System   Heian Period Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - June 28, 2009 Including: Green-glazed vase with handle, excavated from Fukaya-shi Saitama, Heian period, 10th century (Important Cultural Property, Lent by Fukaya-shi, Saitama)

The Rise of Warrior Class CultureThe Rise of Warrior Class Culture  The Rise of Warrior Class CultureThe Rise of Warrior Class Culture  Late Heian - Muromachi period Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - June 28, 2009 Jar with four handles, excavated from Tateyama-shi, Chiba, Southern Song - Yuan dynasty, 13th - 14th century

The Flowering of Daimyo Culture   Azuchi-Momoyama - Edo period Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - June 28, 2009 Including: Large dish, with flowering plants in overglaze enamels, Kokutani type, Imari Ware, Edo period, 17th century (Gift of Mr. Okawachi Masatoshi)

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)

Japanese Archaeology  Life in the Kofun Period: Learning from haniwa figures  Japanese Archaeology Gallery March 17, 2009 - September 6, 2009 Including: Man Beating Drum, Haniwa (Terracotta Tomb Figurine), Sakaikamitakeshi, Isesaki-shi, Gunma, Kofun period, 6th century Warrior in Keiko Armor, Haniwa (Terracotta Tomb Figurine), Kofun period, 6th century Head of Tattooed Man , Haniwa (Terracotta Tomb Figurine), Kofun period, 6th century Woman Holding Stick in Right Hand, Haniwa (Terracotta Tomb Figurine), Kofun period, 6th century Woman Carrying Jar on Head, Haniwa (Terracotta Tomb Figurine), Kofun period, 6th century

Everyday Tools   Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - May 31, 2009 Hunting tools and eating utensils of the Jomon period, including stone spears, fishhooks, and stone spoons

Personal Accessories and Ritual Objects   Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - May 31, 2009 Earrings and magatama jade of the Jomon period

Post Jomon Culture of Hokkaido   Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - May 31, 2009 Including: Earthenware, stone stools, magatama jade and small gems

Daily Tools of Yayoi   Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - May 31, 2009 Stone axes, Stone knives, etc.

Yayoi Tools and Accessories   Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - May 31, 2009 Including: Magatama jade, Shell Bracelets from the 1st - 3rd century

Metalwork of the Yayoi Period   Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - May 31, 2009 Bronze swords, bronze halberds and bronze bells

Mirrors with Year Inscriptions   Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - June 7, 2009 Including: Mirrors from Continental Asia and mirrors of Japan

Depictions of Deities Seen in Bronze Mirrors   Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - June 7, 2009 Mirror with Deities Design, 4th century

Development of Beads and Jade Tools Production   Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - June 7, 2009 Including: Crystal Round Bead, excavated from Koganezuka Tumulus, Izumi-shi, Osaka, Kofun period, 4th - 5th century (Important Cultural Property) and other crystal/glass/jade objects

Rituals of the Kofun Period   Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - June 7, 2009 Objects from the Yamano-Kami Tumulus, 5th century

Funerals of the Kofun Period   Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - June 7, 2009 Including: Stone models of sword, axe, and dish, 4th - 5th century

Iron Agricultural Tools of Kofun Period   Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - June 7, 2009 Including: Axes, sickles, and plows

Metal Accessories   Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - June 7, 2009 Gold earrings, bangles and other accessories

Haniwa Objects   Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - June 14, 2009 Features ceramics from the Joseon and Goryeo dynasties. Current exhibit includes: Haniwa (terracotta tomb ornament): Storage Houses with Gable Roofs, evcavated from Saitobaru Tumulus, Miyazaki, Kofun period, 5th century (Important Cultural Property)

The Flourishing of Haniwa Figures   Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - June 14, 2009 Including: Haniwa, Warrior in Keiko Armor, From Iizuka-cho, Ota-shi, Gunma, Kofun period, 6th century (National Treasure)

Ornaments of Kings   Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - June 7, 2009 Objects from the Eda-Funayama Tumulus, 5th - 6th century (National Treasure)

Tile with Buddhist Image   Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - June 28, 2009 Tiles decorating temple buildings, Including Tile with Buddhist Triad and Tile with Buddhist Image, Asuka period, 7th century

Tiles with Inscriptions   Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - June 28, 2009 Tiles with inscriptions from Nara period, 8th century

The World of Nara Period Officials   Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - June 28, 2009 Wooden plates and stationaries, Including Bronze Seal of the Mikasadan (Mikasa Group) (copy), Nara period, 8th century

Sutra Mounds - Time Capsules for 5,670,000,000 Years   Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - June 28, 2009 Objects buried in sutra mounds, including objects from the Gokurakuji Sutra Mound, Kodera-machi, Heian period, 12th century (Important Cultural Property, Lent by Jofukuji, Hyogo)

Mountain Religions   Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - June 28, 2009 Bronze Openwork of Zao-Gongen, Excavated at the mountaintop site of Mt.Ominesan. (Important Cultural Property, Lent by Ominesan-ji, Nara)

Ritual tools from the Main building of the Edo Castle   Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - June 28, 2009 Objects excavated from areas used to be the main building of the Edo Castle, including Cakra Wheel Bronze, 17th century

Room tiles of Edo period Warlords Houses   Japanese Archaeology Gallery January 2, 2009 - June 28, 2009 Including: Round Eave Tile with paired crane crest, excavated from the House of Morioka feudal domain, located in current Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Edo period, 18th - 19th century

1st floor

Modern Sculpture   Corridor April 7, 2009 - April 4, 2010 Including: Mr. Tobari Kogan, By Ogiwara Morie, dated 1909 Eva, By Auguste Rodin, 19th century

2nd floor: Special Exhibition Galleries

The National Treasure ASHURA and Masterpieces from Kohfukuji    Special Exhibition Galleries March 31, 2009 - June 7, 2009 This exhibition commemorates the 1300th anniversary of Kohfukuji Temple, Nara, featuring the sculpture of Ashura, one of the most treasured sculptures made during the beginning to mid-7th century. Ashura and other statues consisting the Devas of the Eight Classes and the Ten Great Disciples of Buddha, among which 14 survive until now, will be exhibited outside the temple together for the first time.

SOMETSUKE - The flourishing of underglaze blue porcelain ware in Asia    Special Exhibition Gallery 1 & 2 July 14, 2009 - September 6, 2009 The sometsuke (underglaze blue) technique, of painting a design in cobalt-based pigments on a white porcelain base and coloring it in vivid indigo, was perfected in China during the Yuan period (1271-1368). Eventually, this technique came to Vietnam, Korea and Japan, and sometsuke full of individuality was produced in many areas. This exhibition features sometsuke from all over the East and introduces them from several viewpoints, looking at the liveliness of the designs, the beauty of the ground and the intimate connection they had, as vessels, to daily life.

In commemoration of the 62nd Shikinen Sengu Ceremony Ise Jingu and Treasures of Shinto    Special Exhibition Gallery 3 & 4 July 14, 2009 - September 6, 2009 Starting with the sacred treasures of Ise shrine, both ancient and later, this exhibition will display around 100 treasures connected to the shrine or donated to Ise by emperors and shoguns. While taking a journey back through the history and religion of Ise, this exhibition also looks closely at the ceremonial system of Shikinen Sengu, a system whereby the temple is reconstructed every 20 years according to ancient, traditional ways. The exhibition also looks at how Japanese architectural beauty and construction skills have been transmitted through this system. Throughout the ages, Shinto has fostered and developed history and tradition. This exhibition shines a light on Shinto art and introduces the flowers of Japanese traditional religious art.