古代メキシコ －マヤ、アステカ、テオティワカン

About 140 of Ancient Mexico’s Greatest Treasures in Kyushu!

Before the Spanish invasions of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, ancient civilizations prospered in Mexico for over 3,000 years. This Special Exhibition introduces a diverse range of works, about 140 in all, from three sources: the Maya, the Aztecs, and the archaeological site of Teotihuacan. Surviving disasters such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and droughts, people built magnificent monuments representing each civilization. These included Maya’s royal tombs, the Aztec Templo Mayor and the three Pyramids of Teotihuacan. Through the prayers offered to deities and nature, with the unique worldviews born of environmental diversity, explore the deep mysteries and fascinating appeal of ancient Mexico’s civilizations.

About 140 of Ancient Mexico’s Greatest Treasures in Kyushu!

Before the Spanish invasions of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, ancient civilizations prospered in Mexico for over 3,000 years. This Special Exhibition introduces a diverse range of works, about 140 in all, from three sources: the Maya, the Aztecs, and the archaeological site of Teotihuacan. Surviving disasters such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and droughts, people built magnificent monuments representing each civilization. These included Maya’s royal tombs, the Aztec Templo Mayor and the three Pyramids of Teotihuacan. Through the prayers offered to deities and nature, with the unique worldviews born of environmental diversity, explore the deep mysteries and fascinating appeal of ancient Mexico’s civilizations.

重要文化財 青花蓮池魚藻文壺
Teotihuacan Pyramid of the Sun *1
重要文化財 青花蓮池魚藻文壺
Maya Temple of Inscriptions, Tomb of King Pakal *1
重要文化財 青花蓮池魚藻文壺
Aztec Templo Mayor (Main Temple)*1

Exhibition Details

Exhibition Period

3 October – 10 December 2023

Venue:

Special Exhibition Hall (3rd floor)

Opening Hours:

09:30–17:00 (Sundays, Tuesdays–Thursdays; last admission at 16:30)
09:30–20:00*(Fridays and Saturdays; last admission at 19:30)
*Opening hours may change during this period.

Closed:

Mondays, 10 October (Open on 9 October)

Tickets

Adults 2,000 yen
University and high school students 1,300 yen
Junior high and elementary school students 900 yen
  • Tickets include entry into the Cultural Exchange Exhibition on the fourth floor.
  • For discounted tickets, please present personal ID reflecting birth date, such as your passport, health insurance card, or driver’s license at the exhibition hall entrance.
  • Students MUST present their student identification cards.
Admission is FREE for the following:
  • Preschool children (under 6 years of age)
  • Persons with disabilities and up to one accompanying caretaker
  • Persons with complimentary tickets
  • Persons with relevant Kyushu National Museum memberships
  • ICOM members
  • Japanese Association of Museums members
Tickets / List of Works

Regular tickets are available once the exhibition begins from the following vendors:

● Art Exhibition (ARTNE) JAPAN application
● Lawson Ticket (L-code: 81488)
● 7-11 Ticket Pia (P-code: 686-524)
● Family Mart e-plus service
● Kyushu National Museum’s ticketing counters (Level 1)

*Please note that many of the above vendor sites are available in Japanese only.

Please note that purchased tickets cannot be refunded, and that reselling is expressly forbidden. Tickets purchased after the exhibition begins are not eligible for the advanced sale ticket discount. Tickets purchased from third-party vendors (ticketing agencies) may be subject to additional handling fees. If the gallery experiences crowding, visitors may be asked to wait before entering the exhibition space.

We recommend purchasing tickets online prior to visiting, to avoid overcrowding at the museum.

出品目録
Events, Audio Guides and Other Information

Events

Cancelled Event

Special Exhibition Lecture:
Maya Civilization: Ancient Remains Tell the Story of Bioarcheology and the Red Queen

Notice of Cancellation
Special Exhibition Lecture:
Maya Civilization: Ancient Remains Tell the Story of Bioarcheology and the Red Queen

Due to the illness of the guest lecturer, this event is cancelled.
We sincerely apologize to those who were looking forward to this event. Please be aware that there will be no alternative event. Thank you for understanding.

Date:
4 Nov. (Sat.) 14:00–15:30 Cancelled
Special Exhibition Lecture Contact:
Office of the Special Exhibition: Ancient Mexico (inside Nishinippon Shimbun Event Services)
092-711-5491 (weekdays, 9:30–17:30)
No pre-registration required, free admission

Kyuhaku in 3-D: Enjoy the Special Exhibition: Ancient Mexico: Maya, Aztec, and Teotihuacan

Date and Time:
28 October 2023 (Sat) 14:00–16:00
Speakers:
Mr. Kawano Kazutaka, (Head of the Curatorial Department, Tokyo National Museum) and Mr. Ozawa Yoshinori (Senior Researcher, Kyushu National Museum)
Venue:
Museum Hall, Kyushu National Museum
Capacity:
270 pax (subject to last-minute changes)
Notes:
To gain entry to the venue, attendees should present their Special Exhibition Ticket or QR code on the day itself. This talk will be conducted in Japanese only.

Audio Guide*

A Guided Tour around Ancient Mexico

Take a journey around the world of ancient Mexico with actor and singer Kamishiraishi Mone, who has lived in Mexico. She will be joined by voice actor Sugita Tomokazu, well-known for his role as Joseph Joestar in the manga, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.
*Please be aware that audio guidance is offered in Japanese only.

上白石萌音さん

Ms. Kamishiraishi Mone

杉田智和さん

Mr. Sugita Tomokazu

Prices:

On-site headphone rental: 650 yen per piece (tax included)

Smartphone app rental: 700 yen per download (tax included)

全作品・撮影OK!

Photography permitted

Maya Civilization
Through calendars and writing, the nobility honed their skills in trade and warfare.

Maya Civilization

Through calendars and writing, the nobility honed their skills in trade and warfare.

赤の女王のマスク・冠・首飾り

Mask of the Red Queen

Late 7th century
From Temple 13, Palenque
Palenque Site Museum,
Alberto Ruz Lhuillier ＊4

トニナ石彫171

Tonina Monument 171

About 727 CE
Palace of Water, Acropolis, Tonina
National Museum of Anthropology ＊2

チャクモール像

Chacmool sculpture

900–1100
Chichen Itza
Yucatan Regional Museum of Anthropology,
Canton Palace ＊1

（左から）球技をする人の土偶、戦士の土偶、支配者層の土偶、貴婦人の土偶、貴人の土偶

Various Maya figurines

600–950 CE
Jaina, National Museum of Anthropology ＊2

Aztec/Mexica Civilizations
The rulers expanded their influence through military might and tribute systems.

Aztec/Mexica Civilizations

The rulers expanded their influence through military might and tribute systems.

鷲の戦士像

Eagle Warrior sculpture

1469–86 CE
House of the Eagles, Templo Mayor
Templo Mayor Museum ＊6

トラロク神の壺

Tlaloc pot

1440–69 CE
Offering 56, Templo Mayor
Templo Mayor Museum ＊6

人の心臓形ペンダント、テスカトリポカ神とウィツィロポチトリ神の笏形飾り、 トラルテクトリ神形飾り、巻貝形ペンダント、鈴形ペンダント、耳飾り

Gold accessories

1486–1502 CE
Templo Mayor
Templo Mayor Museum
＊3 (e, f); ＊6 (a, b, c); ＊7 (d)

Teotihuacan Civilization
This metropolis housed 3 Pyramids: The Sun, The Moon, and The Feathered Serpent.

Teotihuacan Civilization

This metropolis housed 3 Pyramids: The Sun, The Moon, and The Feathered Serpent.

死のディスク石彫

Disk of Mictlantecuhtli（Disk of Death）

300–550 CE
Sun Plaza, Sun Pyramid, Teotihuacan
National Museum of Anthropology ＊2

羽毛の蛇神石彫

Feathered Serpent sculpture

200–250 CE
Feathered Serpent Pyramid, Teotihuacan
Archaeological Zone of Teotihuacan ＊3

鳥形土器

Avian effigy vessel

250–550 CE
La Ventilla, Teotihuacan
National Museum of Anthropology ＊2

The Red Queen Makes Her Debut in Japan!

The Red Queen Makes Her Debut in Japan!

King Pakal (r. 615-683) reigned over the golden age of Palenque, a city-state representative of Mayan culture. Discovered in her tomb, covered in cinnabar, were the remains of his queen consort, commonly known as the "Red Queen" ("Reina Roja" in Spanish). Artifacts from her tomb will be displayed for the first time outside of North America. Along with objects related to King Pakal’s descendants, this exhibition sheds light on a dynasty that spanned 200 years.

1994年4月11日、碑文の神殿に隣接した13号神殿（写真右）から発見。
Condition at excavation: April 11, 1994
©Secretaría de Cultura-INAH-MEX
出土状況
Found in Temple 13 (on the right), next to the Temple of Inscriptions, Palenque
©Secretaría de Cultura-INAH-MEX
関連年表・地図
関連年表・地図

Map and Timeline of Mesoamerica*:

Olmec civilization: about 1500–400 BCE in the Gulf of Mexico
Teotihuacan civilization: about 100 BCE–550 CE in Mexico City
Toltec civilization: about 600–1150 in the Valley of Mexico
Aztec/Mexica civilizations: about 1325–1521 in the Valley of Mexico
Maya civilization: about 1200 BCE–1697 CE in the Yucatan Peninsula

*Mesoamerica refers to the domains of various ancient civilizations that flourished until the Spanish invasions of the sixteenth century. Many of the traditions from these diverse civilizations have been passed down to the present day. Encompassing much of present-day Mexico, it extended through Central America, to Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and parts of Costa Rica.

Organizers:

Kyushu National Museum and Fukuoka Prefecture, NHK Fukuoka, NHK Enterprises, Nishinippon Shimbun, Nishinippon Shimbun Event Service, Asahi Shimbun

Co-organizers:

Kyushu National Museum Promotion Foundation

Sponsors:

NISSHA, Daiwa House

Special support:

Dazaifu Tenmangū Shrine

Cooperation:

Aeromexico

Support:

Embassy of Mexico, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka City Board of Education, Kitakyushu City Board of Education, Dazaifu City, Dazaifu City Board of Education, Dazaifu Chamber of Commerce, Dazaifu City Information Center

Planning Cooperation:

Secretariat of Culture of Mexico, National Institute of Anthropology and History

Exhibition website:

Official account*:

Inquiries:

Hello Dial* 050-5542-8600 (9:00-20:00, year-round)

*in Japanese only

GOBIERNO DE MEXICO ロゴ、RELACIONES EXTERIORES ロゴ、CULTURA ロゴ、INAH ロゴ

＊1 ©Secretaría de Cultura-INAH-MEX
＊2 ©Secretaría de Cultura-INAH-MEX. Archivo Digital de las Colecciones del Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-CANON
＊3 ©Secretaría de Cultura-INAH-MEX. Foto: Jorge Pérez de Lara Elías
＊4 ©Secretaría de Cultura-INAH-MEX. Foto: Michel Zabé
＊5 ©Secretaría de Cultura-INAH-MEX. Foto: Ignacio Guevara
＊6 ©Secretaría de Cultura-INAH-MEX. Museo del Templo Mayor
＊7 ©Secretaría de Cultura-INAH-MEX. Museo del Templo Mayor. Foto: Jesús López