きゅーはくサマーツアー 博物館で昆虫採集

Kyuhaku Summer Tour
Collecting Insects at a Museum

While live insects are usually banished from our museum, bugs are the stars of this show!
The various tiny creatures appearing in works of art, both ancient and modern, seem as lively as if they were living. This summer, why not try collecting them at Kyushu National Museum? Come and find the creepy crawlies hiding around our exhibition rooms!

Exhibition Period:

30 July (Tue) – 1 September 2024 (Sun)

Venue:

Room 11, Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall (4 F)

Tickets: Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall (Permanent Exhibition)

Adults 700 yen
University students 350 yen
High school students, visitors under 18, and seniors above 70 FREE

*For more information on ticket prices, please see this page.

Leaflet

Exhibition Highlights

An insect-loving lord’s impressive sketchbook!

An insect-loving lord’s impressive sketchbook!

虫豸帖〈秋〉

Album of Insects and Worms: Autumn

By Mashiyama Sessai 19th century Tokyo National Museum

Here is a sketchbook of insect drawings by Mashiyama Sessai (1754–1819), daimyo (domain lord) of Nagashima in present-day Mie Prefecture. Its depictions, as detailed and precise as a professional’s, are the pinnacle of natural history illustration. They show Sessai's keen eye for observation, as well as his love of insects.

Japan's first authentic book on herbalism is from Fukuoka!

Japan's first authentic book on herbalism is from Fukuoka!

大和本草

Medicinal Herbs of Japan

By Kaibara Ekiken 19th century (First edition: 1709) Kyushu National Museum

Herbalism is the study of medicinal plants, animals, and minerals. After developing in China, it became popular in Japan during the Edo period (1603–1868). Author Kaibara Ekiken was a scholar serving the Fukuoka clan who pioneered Japanese herbalism. He completed this book at the ripe old age of 79!

What do you hear from the insect cage adorning this dish?

What do you hear from the insect cage adorning this dish?

色絵花盆文大皿

Large dish decorated in overglaze enamels

Imari (Arita) 18th century Kyushu National Museum

This Imari-ware platter is about 50 cm in diameter. Surrounding the central floral motif are depictions of an insect cage with bell bugs inside, a multipaneled partition, and a booklet. As this dish shows, Japanese people have enjoyed the beautiful sound of insects in the summer since the Heian period (794–1185).

Sparkly insects gather on these bark-wrapped boxes!

Sparkly insects gather on these bark-wrapped boxes!

蝶蜻蛉蒔絵螺鈿料紙硯箱

Boxes depicting butterflies and dragonflies

18th century Agency for Cultural Affairs

The surfaces of these boxes are covered with cherry bark. On top of this, maki-e (lacquer sprinkled with metallic powder) and mother-of-pearl inlay techniques have been employed to create butterflies and dragonflies. From wings to feet, every detail of their bodies is skillfully crafted in a careful and realistic manner.

These elaborate figures look just like the real thing!

These elaborate figures look just like the real thing!

銅製の昆虫標本

Bronze insect specimens

France or Germany 19th century Kyoto National Museum

Brought over from Europe during the Meiji period (1868–1912), these sample specimens were shown at the Commodity Exhibition Hall of the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce. Bronze beetles, such as the saber tooth longhorn shown here, were so exquisitely crafted that they could have been mistaken for the real thing.

丸山宗利先生

The real insects shown in this exhibition were curated by Dr. Maruyama Munetoshi (Kyushu University Museum).

Events

Please note that the events listed below will be held in Japanese only.
Primary

No pre-registration required; first-come, first-served

Kyuhaku in 3-D: The Mysterious World of Ants Are there really “worker ants” that don’t work?

Date and Time:
18 August 2024 (Sun), 14:00–15:00 (reception opens at 13:30)
Speaker:
Mr. Murakami Takahiro (Okayama University of Science)
Venue:
Kyushu National Museum, 1F Museum Hall
Capacity:
280 pax
Admission:
Free of charge
村上貴弘 先生

Mr. Murakami Takahiro (Okayama University of Science)

Pre-registration required; first-come, first-served

Workshop: Mr. Murakami Reveals His Secrets to Drawing Insects!

Kids, why not take a closer look at some bugs and try sketching them? Mr. Murakami Takahiro, also known as Ari-Sensei or Mr. Ant, will share all he knows about drawing insects.
Date and Time:
18 August 2024 (Sun), 10:00–12:00 (reception opens at 9:30)
Speaker:
Mr. Murakami Takahiro (Okayama University of Science)
Venue:
Kyushu National Museum, 1F Seminar Room
Target:
Elementary school students, grades 3–6 (ages 9–12)
Capacity:
20 pax
Admission:
Free of charge
Application: Please click the link below to fill out the necessary details. It will redirect you to the Japanese registration page.

*Applications will close once capacity is reached.
*Workshop attendees will receive an email notification by August 4 (Sun).