New Additions to the Kaneko Collection of Asian Ethno-Forms
Kaneko Kazushige dedicated his lifetime to collecting various items related to Asian
ethnography.
For the first time, this exhibition display features new items donated by Kaneko’s family in the
fiscal year 2023. Let yourself be drawn into the fascinating depths of Asia’s diversity!
Exhibition Period: |
---|
28 May (Tues) – 8 Sep 2024 (Sun) |
Venue: |
---|
Room 2, Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall (4F) |
Tickets: Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall (Permanent Exhibition) |
|
---|---|
Adults | 700 yen |
University students | 350 yen |
High school students, visitors above 18, and seniors above 70 | Free |
* For more information on ticket prices, please refer to this page.
Exhibition Poster |
---|
Exhibition Highlights
Buddhist votive offering vessel
Myanmar 19th century
A sacred bird sits atop the lid of this large, luxurious offering vessel. Clay-like lumps of ash mixed with lacquer were pasted on the surface, which was gilded with gold leaf, then inlaid with glass to create an ornate three-dimensional design. Crafted in either Bagan or Mandalay, the major lacquerware production areas in Myanmar, this gorgeous piece features the decorative techniques that represent Myanmar’s lacquerware.
Buddhist votive offering vessel
Myanmar 20th century
Collectively known as yun, lacquerware is a craft that has developed in various ways while being deeply embedded in Myanmar’s everyday lifestyles. Each region features its own unique techniques and designs. This is a typical product of Kyauka in northwestern Myanmar, a part of the country known for its simple, black lacquerware. Not only a practical vessel for holding offerings, its chic and well-defined shape also catches the eye.
Brass container used for chewing betel nuts
Vietnam, Nguyen dynasty 19th century
Throughout Southeast Asia, it is customary to chew the thinly sliced nuts of an evergreen palm tree called betel, which are coated in lime and wrapped in leaves. Until recently, this custom was also practiced in Vietnam as an essential part of everyday life. This is a special brass container for holding betel nuts and konjac leaves, a valuable representation of the betel nut chewing culture that was very popular at the time.
Tibetan robe known as chuba
Tibetan people 19th century
Worn by Tibetan nobility, this garment was originally woven in gold-threaded brocade on its exterior for China’s Qing dynasty, where it was used as the uniform of officials. While the Art Museum of Beijing’s Fine Arts Academy and a private collection in Hong Kong possess chuba converted from official Qing dynasty robes, very few such garments exist, making this one extremely valuable.
Wayang Kulit puppet: Wilkataksini
Solo, Indonesia dated 1980
Wayang Kulit is a traditional Indonesian shadow puppet theater. This puppet represents Wilkataksini, one of the monsters who serves King Rahwana, a villain in the epic Ramayana. Although these puppets are used in shadow plays, they are colorfully painted. Audiences can watch either the shadows projected on a screen, or the actual puppets being manipulated by a puppeteer, known as Dalang.
Related Publications
Marking the occasion of this donation, our annual bulletin Tōfūseisei has begun
serializing research on Kaneko Kazushige’s ethno-forms collection. We are pleased to
introduce the fruits of research on the Kaneko collection to the public at large. We
are also opening submissions on Asian ethnography and ethno-forms to the public.
As reference, please note the following research publications on the Kaneko
collection (in Japanese only):
- On starting the serialization of Research on Materials in the KANEKO Kazushige Collection
- The Folding Screen of Yamayana: Pictorial Representation of the Jataka Tales in Myanmar
- Chinese imperial court brocade in traditional Tibetan costumes
- Raden Rama Regawa & Raden Rama Wijaya
- The influence of Pābūjī Phad on the tapestry painting of exhibit K1062
- Brass Containers (K1202 & K1203) Cylindrical metal containers and betel nut chewing habits in Nguyen Dynasty Vietnam