きゅーはくヘビ年新春ツアー カエルの逆襲
きゅーはくヘビ年新春ツアー カエルの逆襲

Kyuhaku New Year Tour
Frogs Strike Back

マーク

The Snake is the Chinese zodiac sign for 2025. Here at Kyuhaku, we are also celebrating frogs. There is a Japanese proverb, “a frog stared at by a snake”, akin to the English saying, “a deer in the headlights”. Download the List of Works to look for the snakes and frogs lurking about the Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall on Floor 4. You can find them with this symbol.

Just like the toads that climb to the sacred peak of Mount Hōman near our museum, may this be a year of leaps and bounds.

Exhibition Period:

1 January (Wed) – 2 February (Sun) 2025
We are open until 20:00* on the following Fridays and Saturdays: 24, 25, 31 January and 1 February (last entry at 19:30).
*Please check the Hours and Admission page on our official website for more information.

Venue:

Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall (Floor 4)

Tickets for the Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall (Permanent Exhibition)

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

From 21 January (Tue) to 2 February (Sun), Haniwa Special Exhibition ticket holders can also enter this hall free of charge.
*For more information on ticket prices, please refer to this page.

List of Works

Exhibition Highlights

根付 ヘビににらまれたカエル

Netsuke of a frog surrounded by a snake

18th–19th century Meiji University Museum

This ivory carving depicts the tense moment as a snake is about to swallow a frog.

This ivory carving depicts the tense moment as a snake is about to swallow a frog.

三足蛙水滴

Tripod frog-shaped water dropper

China, Ming dynasty, 16th century
Kyushu National Museum

This three-legged frog is a mythical sacred beast from China. The first to warn of upcoming calamities, it is also believed to bring good fortune.

This three-legged frog is a mythical sacred beast from China. The first to warn of upcoming calamities, it is also believed to bring good fortune.

仏涅槃図
A frog with a flower    A snake in a coil

Nirvana

13th century
Kyushu National Museum

In this painting, disciples and animals mourn the deceased Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha. A frog and a snake are among these animals.

In this painting, disciples and animals mourn the deceased Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha. A frog and a snake are among these animals.

深鉢形土器

Earthenware jar

From Nakamichi site A, Shizuoka
5,000–4,000 years old
Kyushu National Museum

See the long, thin creature with coiled eyes on its head? Is that the Jōmon people’s idea of a snake?

See the long, thin creature with coiled eyes on its head? Is that the Jōmon people’s idea of a snake?

銅鼓

Bronze drum

Northern Myanmar or neighboring regions, 18th–19th century
Kyushu National Museum (Donated by Mr. Miyahara Akira)

This drum was used in Southeast Asian festivals. Notice the 3 tiny frogs, piled one on top of the other, on the 4 corners of the drum.

This drum was used in Southeast Asian festivals. Notice the 3 tiny frogs, piled one on top of the other, on the 4 corners of the drum.

クリス

Kris sword

Indonesian Institute of the Arts, Surakarta, dated 1999
Kyushu National Museum (Donated by Mrs. Tamura Fumiko)

This is a traditional sacred sword from Indonesia. Painted in gold, its serpentine body represents the snake deity, Naga.

This is a traditional sacred sword from Indonesia. Painted in gold, its serpentine body represents the snake deity, Naga.

Events

Protecting the Nature of Mount Hōman Art Exhibition

On Mount Hōman, located near Kyuhaku, numerous frogs annually migrate from a pond at the foot of the mountain to the 829-meter summit. In February 2024, the Dazaifu Rotary Club invited junior and senior high school students in Dazaifu City to send in pictures of frogs. With the aim of raising awareness to protect the natural environment of this peak, a total of 176 entries were submitted. They will be displayed concurrently with the “Frogs Strike Back” Tour in the Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall on Floor 4. Come and feel the warm gazes of observers that have looked upon these small creatures, from ancient times to the present.
Period:
1Jan (Wed) to 19 Jan (Sun) 2025
Venue:
Main Entrance, Floor 1
Sponsors:
Kyushu National Museum, Dazaifu Rotary Club (A Project of The Community Service Committee of Rotary International District 2700)
Cooperation:
Mount Hōman Toad Preservation Society, Chikuyo Gakuen Junior & Senior High School, Fukuoka Prefectural Dazaifu High School
Support:
Dazaifu City, Dazaifu Board of Education

Enchanted by Mysterious Frogs: 1 cm-tall Mountain Climbers Film screening & Talk show *In Japanese Only
No registration required, free admission*

At the feet of human climbers, frogs measuring a mere 1cm long also boldly aim for the summit of Mount Hōman. A film focusing on these tiny frogs and the kind regard of local people who are fascinated by them and are involved in conserving their natural environment, will be screened (running time 28 minutes). After the screening, the actor and planning and production staff will take the stage for an exclusive talk show.
Date and time:
12 Jan 2025 (Sun), 13:30–14:30
Venue:
Museum Hall, Floor 1 
Screening Sponsor:
Cable Station Fukuoka
Speakers:Nakanobu Tatsuya (President of Green Film; Film, Planning and Cinematography Divisions), Hidaka Mami (Director; Planning Division), Morita Masatsugu (Actor; Secretary General of the Mount Hōman Toad Preservation Society)

No registration required, free admission*

Quiz Rally

Quiz Rally

Pick up a Quiz Rally sheet at the entrance to the Floor 4 Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall. Answer the “Frogs Strike Back” quiz, then drop it in the post box inside the Museum Shop on Floor 1. You just might win a wonderful prize!

Pick up a Quiz Rally sheet at the entrance to the Floor 4 Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall. Answer the “Frogs Strike Back” quiz, then drop it in the post box inside the Museum Shop on Floor 1. You just might win a wonderful prize!

Period:

1 Jan (Wed)–2Feb (Sun) 2025

Venue:

Floor 4 Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall

*However, admission to the Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall is required. From 21 January (Tue) to 2 February (Sun), Haniwa Special Exhibition ticket holders are also eligible.