Culture | Commemorative Organization for the Japan World Exposition '70

This area features facilities appropriate to the former site of Expo '70, i.e. the National Museum of Ethnology, which showcases materials on ethnology from around the world; the Japan Folk Crafts Museum, Osaka, which exhibits mainly Japanese folk crafts; and the International Institute for Children's Literature, Osaka, which is a comprehensive international research, materials, and information center for children's literature. Here visitors have the unique opportunity to learn about culture in a natural environment.

The National Museum of Ethnology ("Minpaku") was established in 1974 for the purpose of improving knowledge and understanding of the lives and perspectives of the world's ethnic groups by providing cutting-edge information and knowledge on their societies and cultures, based on research findings in cultural anthropology and ethnology.
The Museum has two broad exhibit categories: permanent and special. The permanent exhibits consist of exhibits depicting large geographical areas, such as Oceania, the Americas, Europe, Africa, West Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central and North Asia, East Asia, etc., plus cross-cultural exhibits such as language, music, and so on.

National Museum of Ethnology English Website >>

Oceania

"Seafaring people" deals with Micronesia and Polynesia, while "The world of ritual" mainly concerns Melanesia. Linking these two themes, the "Life-styles" theme represents the variety of daily life that constitutes the culture of the peoples of Oceania. The activities of indigenous peoples in Hawaii, New Zealand and Australia are also exhibited.

The Americas

The vast American continents encompass a variety of natural environments. Adapting to their surroundings, people have obtained and produced food and developed appropriate clothing. Having experienced European conquest and colonization, the American continents show a unique fusion and combination of the indigenous and foreign cultures from everyday living habits to religions and rituals. The exhibition highlights this diversity and historicity, focusing on clothing, food and religions.

Europe

Introducing the Europe that the Japanese haven't seen, in other words, the non-touristy, basic aspects of European culture, is our aim. What may seem ordinary to Europeans might be unique and fascinating in the eyes of Japanese. We also probe into the depths of Europe as an ethnological object, in search of something in common with Asia.

South Asia

The Indian subcontinent and surrounding areas exhibit great social, cultural and linguistic diversity. The gallery displays this diversity of ethnic cultures both in their traditional and modern forms, focusing on urban and rural life styles and religious practices.

At the time of Expo '70, the Museum featured both new and traditional folk crafts typical of locations around Japan, ranging from Hokkaido to Okinawa, based on the theme of "beauty in day-to-day life."

The Japan Folk Crafts Museum, Osaka Photo01

At present, the Museum exhibits both old and new crafts that pertain closely to real life, as well as contemporary new pieces by individual artists, as follows:

Old pieces from around Japan, particularly handicrafts, that reflect the life and culture of the people that made them
Contemporary pieces that perpetuate traditional techniques, and
New pieces by individual artists that incorporate elements of traditional folk crafts

The exhibit consists of ceramics, wood and bamboo pieces, lacquerware, dyed textiles, leather work, paper items, metal items, knitting and braiding work, painting, and more, from around Japan and other countries.