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Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Collaborative Researches
3 International exchanges
4 Researches in the Departments
5 Researches under the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research
6 Individual Activities: Research Subject
7 Exhibitions
8 Museum Collections
9 Information Management
10 Library
11 Equipments
12 Public Relations
13 Publications
14 Education for Graduate Students
1. Review of research
For the academic year of 2004, the National Museum of Japanese History ("NMJH", popularly known as "Rekihaku") became one of inter-university research institutes belonging to the National Institutes for the Humanities ("NIH"), an inter-university research institute corporation (daigaku kyodo riyou kikan houjin). In association with the change, NMJH now has mid-term targets and mid-term plans, and conducts its research activities so as to be able to attain its mid-term targets and implement its mid-term plans.
In 2003, NMJH replaced the Research Committee with a Research Cooperation Committee to implement pre-existing research activities and to formulate mid-term targets and mid-term plans for research activities in 2004 onwards. Following the lines set down in the Future Concept Committee Interim Report submitted in 2001, and NMJH's research policy as an inter-university institute as indicated in "The future direction of research at NMJH" put together by the Research Committee, the Research Cooperation Committee has conducted a review of pre-existing research activities and has examined the appropriate direction for new research. The result of this work is to continue the existing collaborative work framework of basic research, scientific research and specific research, but at the same time, to work to promote collaborative research outside NMJH boundaries, acquisition of external funding, and communication of NMJH's research.
2. Action on mid-term targets and mid-term plans
First of all, collaborative research implemented as part of mid-term plans had two basic research topics, "Complete Historical Study of Buddhism and Shintoism and Life and Death" and "General Study of the 20th Century". "Complete Historical Study of Buddhism and Shintoism and Life and Death" follows on from the "Basic Beliefs" basic research conducted by NMJH, and was implemented as two separate projects, "A Complete Historical Study of the Buddhist and Shinto Faiths - Part I" and "A Complete Historical Study of Life, Old Age, Death and Ceremonies - Part I". For "General Study of the 20th Century", it was decided to start two projects, "Wars of the 20th Century - Part I" and "Personal Experiences of War; 1931-1945: A Survey of Japanese Written and Oral Records", each focusing for the first three years on war, discussing the many issues involved.
In the scientific research category, "Materials-based Study of Rekihaku Holdings; Edo-zu Byobu" continuing from 2002, and "General Research on the Application of High-precision Dating Techniques to Historical Materials", "Basic Research on Takamatsunomiya-ke Denrai Kinribon" and "Basic Research on the Representation of 'Foreign Cultures' in History Exhibits", each started in 2003, were carried over to the mid-term plans. It was decided that from 2004, research that had previously been conducted independently by individual departments, "Studies on Materials, Manufacturing-technique and Provenance of Historical Relics", "Research on Cadastral Maps of the Meiji Era" and "Research on Audio-Visual Materials for Folklore Studies", would be conducted under the designation of scientific research. It was also decided that in the specific collaborative research category, new research would be added each year.
3. Acquisition of external funding
Regarding the acquisition of external funding, in addition to encouraging each individual to apply for coverage of research costs, it was decided that NMJH as a whole would also work to acquire Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research funding. In particular, precision chronology research using 14C dating techniques provided new knowledge, demonstrating that the start of the Yayoi period was 500 years earlier than indicated by existing theories, so it was decided to push this research further forward. The findings of this result relate to the start of rice cultivation in Japan, and their publication triggered debate at many different conferences dealing with archaeology and ancient history. Since this research has a bearing on Japanese culture as a whole, it has attracted the interest of people outside the world of historical research. The research is an accumulation of work performed at NMJH since 1995 under the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research scheme, and achieved its success through collaborative research by archaeologists and natural scientists. This is also very appropriate research for NMJH to be conducting as an inter-university research institute. For these reasons, an application was made for "The Beginning of Yayoi Cultivation and East Asia; Developing a High-Precision Chronology Using Carbon Dating" in the Grant-in-Aid for Creative Scientific Research category, and resulting in the adoption of a five-year research plan starting in 2004.
4. Collaborative research in 2003
The collaborative research implemented in 2003 constituted one basic research topic, four scientific research topics, and nine specific research topics. Of those, two projects were conducted as basic research into "Formation of Agricultural Society and its Impact on Environment", "Problems in Agriculture in the Jomon and Yayoi Periods" and "The Variety of Systems Utilizing Environment and Worlds of Living". Both of these projects finished in 2003, so it was decided to formulate a report summarizing the results in 2004. This basic research was conducted under the 'Environment' concept, and is expected to be followed up by new projects in 2005. In the scientific research category, the "Materials-based Study of Rekihaku Holdings; the Edo-zu Byobu" was conducted in association with the dismantling and repair of the Edo-zu Byobu [ Folding screen depicting Edo ], with dating revealing that although the backing is newer, the main paper with the picture was made in the early Edo period. Under the title of "General Research on the Application of High-precision Dating Techniques to Historical Materials", research continued to produce increasingly precise results, demonstrating that the Yayoi period started 500 years earlier than indicated by earlier research. Some of the results of these two scientific research topics were exhibited in the autumn in the planned exhibition entitled "Science in the Quest for History".
Also in the scientific research category, resource research and workgroups were held under "Basic Research on Takamatsunomiya-ke Denrai Kinribon" and "Basic Research on the Representation of 'Foreign Cultures' in History Exhibits". For details of the specific collaborative research, please refer to the collaborative research section.
Research funded by Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research is particularly active, but there are still many topics left unexamined. For this reason, in 2003, incentives were set up to promote individual research, leading to research on three topics, "An Ethnobibliographical Study of Materials from Teachings on Ying and Yang", "A Study of Ancient Empresses", and "Consumption Behavior of Samurai Families, Family Inheritance and City Society in Japanese Castle Towns of the Edo Period".
5. Publicity and communications
Until now, the results of research activities have been published through the publication of research reports, and through planned exhibitions or international symposiums. However, since collaborative research deals with the state-of-the art issues in its field, not all the results were of a form that can be published through a planned exhibition. Also, research reports were not always published until several years after the completion of the research, so it could not be said that the results of research were receiving sufficient publicity. From 2004, NMJH has become one of the National Institutes for the Humanities, providing a research environment with the opportunity for evaluation from all sorts of perspectives. There is a need to make a strong appeal to the public and publicize the special features of NMJH. For this reason, it was decided to put more effort into publicity and communications, starting from 2003. Examples of this approach are the provision of a more comprehensive web site, proper response to media representatives, and actively promoting the publication of research to people who visit the Museum. First of all, it was decided that NMJH faculty should summarize the content of research from a different perspective from that taken by the researchers themselves. In addition, approximately half of the library space open to NMJH visitors has been designated as publicity space, and used as a place where research can be communicated in a timely fashion. Research-related publicity and communications are expected to begin here in 2004.
One of the ways that research reports were publicized in 2003 was the planned exhibition entitled "Science in the Quest for History" held from 21 October to 30 November. NMJH also held its first lectures targeting the general public, with the special lecture entitled "Dating the Beginning of the Yayoi Period", held on July 25 in the Tsuda Hall. An international symposium was held under the title of "History and Representation in Museum Exhibition; Ethnicity, War, and Education" on November 15 and 16 at NMJH, and presentations were given to International Research Meetings (1) "The Real Chronology of the Yayoi Period" (December 20 and 21 at NMJH), and (2) "A Comparative Study of the Social Function of Castle between Japan and Europe" (March 6 and 7 at NMJH). Furthermore, lectures organized in collaboration with the Graduate University for Advanced Studies were held on two occasions under the title of "The Frontline of Historical Research", and the content of each of the lectures was published in book form. The research reports for 2003 were published in 13 volumes, from No.108 to No.120, including a special issue to mark NMJH's twentieth anniversary. Also published were "Carbon 14 Dating and Archaeology" and a more detailed report on digs in the NMJH grounds.
'Collaborative research' refers to the research projects held in collaboration with researchers from around the country, and hosted by NMJH as an inter-university research institute. The topics of research are based on contemporary research trends of history in a broad sense. One characteristic of collaborative research is that ever since it commenced in 1981, it has made a firm base in empirical research through its links with history, archaeology, folklore and related topics. Current collaborative research has three major subdivisions, 1) interdisciplinary basic research working with the key concepts of 'Environment', 'Urban Life', 'Basic Beliefs', and 'War'; 2) scientific research based on scientific analysis of historical materials; and 3) specific research, which handles mainly issues particular to each of the studies of history, archaeology, and folklore. In order to actively promote diversity in research topics, a new framework added Research under the Grant-in-aid, Exhibition, and Open Application (composed of Exhibition and Materials Analysis) within the category of specific research.
The following is the list of on going projects.
(1) Formation of Agricultural Society and Its Impact on Environment (2001-2003)
General Organizer: NISHIMOTO Toyohiro (Archaeology Dep.)
A. Problems in Agriculture in the Jomon and Yayoi Periods (2001-2003)
Organizer: NISHIMOTO Toyohiro (Archaeology Dep.)
B. The Variety of Systems Utilizing Environment and Worlds of Living (2001-2003)
Organizer: YASUMURO Satoru (Folklore and Folklife Dep.)
(1) Advanced Digitalization of Historical Materials and General Materials Studies Research (2002-2004)
A. Materials-based Study of Rekihaku Holdings; Edo-zu Byobu (2002-2004)
Organizer: NAGASHIMA Masaharu (Museum Science Dep.)
(2) Scientific Study of Materials and General Chronological Research
A. General Research on the Application of High-precision Dating Techniques to Historical Materials (2003-2005)
Organizer: IMAMURA Mineo (Museum Science Dep.)
B. Basic Research on Takamatsunomiya-ke Denrai Kinribon (2003-2006)
Organizer: YOSHIOKA Masayuki (History Dep.)
C. Basic Research on the Representation of "Foreign Cultures" in History Exhibits (2003-2005)
Organizer: KURUSHIMA Hiroshi (History Dep.)
(1) Study on Problems Related to Soldiers in Modern Japan (2001-2003)
Organizer: ICHINOSE Toshiya (History Dep.)
(2) Study on Contemporary Culture in Folklore (2001-2003)
Organizer: SHIMAMURA Takanori (Faculty of Education and Human Studies, Akita University)
(3) Exchange of People, Commodities, and Technical Skills, and the System in Pre-modern East Asia (2001-2003)
Organizer: ONO Masatoshi (Archaeology Dep.)
(4) The Formation on Process of Mizuki Collection and Its Historical Significance (2001-2003)
Organizer: TAKAGI Hiroshi (Institute for Research in Humanities, Kyoto University)
(5) Sakura Regiment and the Area People (2002-2004)
Organizer: HIGUCHI Takehiko (History Dep.)
(6) City and the Royal Authority on the Turning Point of "Ritsuryou" Nation (2002-2004)
Organizer: YAMANAKA Akira (The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Mie University)
(7) Re-examining the Hirata Kokugaku: the Documents of Atsutane,Kanetane,and Moritane as Historical Materials (2003-2005)
Organizer: MIYACHI Masato (Director-general)
(8) Miyaza and Society: History and Structure (2003-2005)
Organizer: YAGI Toru (Bukkyo University)
(9) The Bodies of Religious Figures and Society (2003-2005)
Organizer: MASTUO Kouichi (Folklore and Folklife Dep.)
(1) Images of Disaster Passed Down Through History; The Potential for Protection Offered by Science (Sep.14, 2003)
Rekihaku special lecture: "Start Date of the Yayoi Period: Performance and Potential of AMS Dating Methods"
Organizer: NISHIMOTO Toyohiro (Archaeology Dep.)
NMJH conducts international exchange, particularly with other countries in East Asia. A new International Exchange Committee was established in 2003 to handle deliberation regarding international exchange in academic research. In practical terms, international exchange has been conducted with China and Korea because of the intensity of interaction with these two countries over Japan's history. For this reason, a research cooperation agreement was signed in 2002 with the Institute of Archeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and in 2003 exchange agreements were signed with two Korean institutes, the National Folk Museum of Korea and the National Research Institute of Cultural Properties.
Rhie Jong-chu, director of the National Folk Museum of Korea visited NMJH in June 2003 for the signing ceremony and commemorative lecture. In return, NMJH director Masato Miyachi visited Korea in August, and gave a commemorative lecture at the National Folk Museum of Korea. In December, Korean researchers were invited to NMJH to hold research exchange meetings. The agreement with the Korean National Research Institute of Cultural Properties was signed in March 2004 when Masato Miyachi visited Korea, and it was decided to work together to promote cooperation in academic research.
In addition to the signing of specific agreements for cooperation, there has been substantial development of international exchange in recent years. In addition to the increase in research conducted abroad and the number of overseas researchers coming to Japan, international symposiums and international research workshops allow exchange of research with overseas researchers, and are important opportunities for publishing general research findings. In the "Medieval East Asian Ocean Routes: Maritime Trading, Ports, and Sunken Ships" exhibition project, there are ongoing negotiations with related institutions in Korea. International exchange is now expected to develop in a variety of directions.
History and Representation in Museum Exhibition: Ethnicity, War, and Education
Panel 1: War and Representation
Panel 2: Ethnicity and History
Panel 3: Horizons of Museum Education
Organizer: KOJIMA Michihiro (History Dep.)
(1) The Real Chronology of the Yayoi Period (Dec.20-21, 2003)
Organizer: NISHIMOTO Toyohiro (Archaeology Dep.)
(2) A Comparative Study of the Social Function of Castle between Japan and Europe (Mar.6-7, 2004)
Organizer: IHARA Kesao (History Dep.)
The research section of the NMJH consists of four departments: Museum Science, History, Archaeology, and Folklore and Folklife Studies. Each department conducts research projects on special grants for the purpose of contributing to the development of the discipline it specializes in. Museum Science Department are engaged in the "Study and Analysis of Important Historical Materials" according to analyses by natural science. History Department is involved in the "Fundamental Analysis of Non-literature Historical Materials", which is to collect and analyze non-literature materials that have not been regarded as important in the conventional studies of history. Archaeology Department conducts "Researches Based upon Compiled Archaeological Data", in which it compiles such as representational haniwa excavated throughout Japan. Folklore and Folklife Department strives to produce ethnographical films in its "Visual Anthropology" project as part of its folk-cultural studies, by making full use of audio-visual techniques developing rapidly these days.
Studies on Materials, Manufacturing-technique and Provenance of Historical Relics (2003-2006)
General Organizer: UDAGAWA Takehisa (Museum Science Dep.)
Research on Cadastral Maps of the Meiji Era (2002-2005)
General Organizer: AOYAMA Hiroo (History Dep.)
A Comprehensive Study of the Kyozuka Materials (2001-2003)
General Organizer: MURAKI Jiro (Archaeology Dep.)
The Traditional Festivals in Izumo Area
General Organizer: SEKIZAWA Mayumi (Folklore and Folklife Dep.)
* Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)(1)
General Survey Research into the Contemporary Miyaza and Construction of a Database for Miyaza Information
* (Overseas) Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)(1)
Ancient Pigs in China; Types and Origins
* Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)(2)
Precise Radiocarbon Dating of Adherent Char to Pottery Based on Its Characterization
* Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)(2)
Multilateral Study by the Comparative Method on Ingression, Acculturation and Distribution of Bronze Culture in East Asia
* Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)(2)
Rethinking about Hirata-kokugaku; Study of the Documents of Atsutane, Kanetane,Nobutane and Moritane Kept in Hirata Shrine
* Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)(2)
Study of the Process of Formation of "Japanese Culture" Seen from the Perspective of Collecting in the Modern Yamato Region
* Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)(2)
Comprehensive Study of Multi-faceted Aspects of Documents Related to Shinto Shrines:
Based upon the Analysis of Existent Documents Handed Down by Old Shrines and the Faculty of Them
* (Overseas) Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)(2)
Praxis of Ethnoscience and the Sustainability for Enbironmenntal Resources in China
* (Overseas) Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)(2)
Comparative Folklore Studies in the Mixture of Folk Beliefs and Advocated Religions:
Research and Analysis of the Beliefs of the Saints in Bretagne, France
* Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)(2)
Folkloric Research on the Significance of Existence of the Paddy Field Environment in Japanese History
* Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)(2)
Research and Study in the Folklore Based upon the Inquio Custom and the Retirement system for the Aged in Aging Society
* Grant-in-Aid for Exploratory Research (2)
Basic Study on the Land-bridge Formation in Prehistory of Japan by Cosmic-rays Exposure Method
* Grant-in-Aid for Encouragement of Young Scientists (B)(2)
The Research on the Relationship between Material, Technique and Idea Observed in Kosode Style Clothes in Muromachi and Momoyama Age
* Grant-in-Aid for Encouragement of Young Scientists (B)(2)
Folkloric Study of Family Business during Modern Ages
* Grant-in-Aid for Encouragement of Young Scientists (B)(2)
A Folklore Study on the Deceased's portrait and the Formation of Nation State
* Grant-in-Aid for Specific Research
A New Approach to Comparative Study of Medieval Capital Castles and Towns
* Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)(1)
Establishment of High-precision Chronology for the Jomon and Yayoi Periods
* Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)(2)
Trade in Goods from China and Nanban within Pre-modern East Asia and Its Significance
* Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)(1)
A Comparative Study of Pre-modern Metalwork Techniques with Chemical Analysis
* Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)(1)
General Research on Folding Screens of Nanban
* Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)(2)
Comprehensive Study of Museum Education, Educators' Training, and History Exhibitions in the Time of Life-long Learning
* Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)(2)
Archaeological Research on Hometown Graves in the Kinki Region
* Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)(1)
General Research on the Kujo-ke Engishiki
* Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)(2)
Basic Research on the History of Debts in Medieval Japan
* Grant-in-Aid for Encouragement of Young Scientists (B)(2)
Comparative Research Concerning Systems and Theories of Training Programmes in Shamanism and Psychoanalysis: As an Attempt to Research Psychoanalysis from Viewpoints of Studies of the Oral Tradition
* Grant-in-Aid for Encouragement of Young Scientists (B)(2)
Studies on the Influence and Behaviour of Airborne Aldehyde in Exhibition Facilities
* Grant-in-Aid for Specific Research(2)
Scientific Research Related to the Technology of Manufacturing and Operating Guns in the Edo Period
* Grant-in-Aid for Specific Research(2)
Research on Support Systems for Field Surveys of Historical Materials from Modern History Using a Free-viewing System for Images
* The Origin and Spread of Pig Domestication on the Japanese Archipelago Based on Zoo Archaeological Studies
* Analytical / Chronological Research on Ancient Japanese / Chinese Metals, etc
* Understanding the Kasei-ki Haidan: The Social, Economic, and Cultural History of the Later Edo Era
Socio-political history in the Bakumatsu-Ishin period
Information systems for historical research and exhibition
Studies on arcaeometry in particular the high-precision radiocarbon dating and its applications to historical and archaeological researches, and development of scientific methodologie for historical and archaeological applications
Case study research on the history of guns and gun technology in Japan and research on the history of weapons trading in East Asia
Study on Ukiyo-e
Study on landscapes in Edo period
Studies in the relationship between air environment and deterioration of cultural objects, mainly deterioration mechanism of works of art
Analysis of the historical data by the natural science-technique
Chemical studies of materials, manufacturing-technique and provenance on cultural properties
Dating and provenance research on historical and archaeological materials by isotope measurement
Relationship between material, technique and idea of clothes
Vestment of Buddhist priest mainly in Muromachi period
Study of museum information system to support research activities, exhibition, and public relations
Especially interested in information processing of color and image
Historical materials from the standpoint of technological history and cultural history by nondestructive research method
Materials involved in lacquer and red pigments in terms of technological history and cultural history
History of Japanese lacquerwork
Study on digital imaging methods for museum objects and its applications
Historical geography and landscape in medieval Japan
The formation and transition of geographical knowledge from the standpoint of the history of cartography
A various looks of the war recognition in the days before the war, postwar society
Life history in the medieval village
Lending relationships history
Togoku manor history
Study on medieval tax system history
History of city in early modern
Historical characteristics of regional communities in the latter part of early modern Japan
Ceremonies, rituals, and festivals in early modern societies
Educational programs at the museums of history
Towns, villages and castles in medieval Japan
Museum education
Study on the shoen system
Study on the medieval documents
Japanese history of popular education, life culture, and society
Ecosystem history
Establishment process of Japanese ancient capital cities
Theoretical study of ancient sovereignty
Society and culture of the Meiji era and the behavioral study of the old ministers of the Tokugawa shogunate
Ancient local societies: through the study of excavated written materials
History of thought and culture in post-war period
War and mass culture
Study of Japan traffic and travel system in 1800's
Farmer's lifestyle studies in 1800's Japan
Ancient philology
Anthlopological study of socio-ecological aspects
Study of political site in ancient period and display
Interchanges between local cultures in Japan
Development of ancient East Asia in the period of the Han three countries and six dynasties
Archaeological study of medieval society
The beginning of the Yayoi period
The entombment system, cults, and folkways of the Jomon and Yayoi period
Kofun (mounded tombs) and the histories of society, politics and culture in the Kofun (Tumulus) period
Studies of society and basic beliefs based on the entombment systems from the ancient to the medieval
Kofun period, Haniwa, Ancient Gilding techniques
Archaeological study of Japanese medieval castle and castle town
Comparative archaeology with the Japanese castle and the European castle
History of East Asia
Environmental archaeology in the Jomon and Yayoi periods
Study of the ritual, customs and social organization in ancient Japan
Transition to agriculture in prehistory
The history of iron production
History of Japanese religions
Brewing industry
Public morals
Traditional technology and the transfiguration
Family, kinship and ancestor worship
Substantiation and theoretical researches of the relation between man and sound
Folkbelief
Ethnoscientific study of folk-life
Comprehensive studies in folklore
Comprehensive studies in folklore, especially the research on cult groups and rituals, and a folkloric study of the old and age, view of life and view of death, discussion on the transformation and transmission of folklore
Study of Folk-Narrative
A Folkloric Study of Superstitions
Research on ceremonies at temples and shrines in the southern capitol, and the magic and performing arts of craftsmen
Folkloric research on the relation between people and nature
Funeral ritual and cultural concept of death
Modern society and folk culture
Death and life studies
Folklore study of Okinawa
Intercourse of archaeological date in Ryukyu Islands
Political anthropology
Popular culture in pre-modern Japan, with a focus on art history
Research on the reconstructing process of the society and culture in Korea and Japan
A study on the performing groups and the commercial entertainment system in pre-modern times
Mathematical color science and color engineering
Theoretical and practical analysis of color images
Preservation and application of color information of museum materials
Analysis of Japanese traditional color
History of the end of the Tokugawa shogunate and the Meiji Restoration
History of social diplomacy surrounding modern Japan-China relations
Basic and applied studies on radiation-induced luminescence from minerals
Environmental behavior of natural radionuclides
A study of Neolithic and Bronze Age in East Asia
History of Japanese ancient cities
Japanese ancient archaeological remain with incised or written letters
History of ancient salt making
Bibliographical study of waka historical materials
Bibliographic research into the history of poetry books in Kinri libraries
Museum management
Visitor studies
Museum education
Analytics about the spatio-temporal information of cultural properties
NMJH conducts research into Japan's history and culture as an inter-university research institute, and based on collaborative research work by researchers from Japan and from around the world, the results of research are shown in public in the form of permanent exhibits and planned exhibitions. Although permanent exhibits are subject to improvements from time to time, twenty years have elapsed since NMJH opened, and we are now in a situation where permanent exhibits do not reflect the findings of the latest research. Given these circumstances, over the past few years, NMJH has been considering new display configurations, etc. in order to effect a renewal of the permanent exhibits. The implementation stage has now been reached.
For the planned exhibitions, project teams are formed in collaboration with researchers from universities and other research institutions, and these project teams plan and implement the planned exhibition. In 2003, there were three planned exhibitions, three special exhibitions, and four special exhibitions at the Botanical Garden of Everyday Life. Each of the planned exhibitions was designated as marking NMJH's twentieth anniversary.
(1) 20th Anniversary Special Exhibition
Haniwa: Form and Meaning (March 18 to July 8, 2003)
About the details of the exhibition, please refer to Annual Report on Research Activity 11 of NMJH at page 246.
(2) 20th Anniversary Special Exhibition
Document Disaster: Natural Disasters in Japanese History, 1703-2003;
Earthquakes, Eruptions, and Tsunamis / Response and Recovery (July 8 to September 21, 2003)
The project for this exhibition started in the summer of 2000 when our application was accepted by NMJH. In 2001, the members of this project carried out various interdisciplinary researches on historical natural disasters in Japan. The following disasters are represented through various media including disaster maps, historical documents, paintings, and computer graphics.
Tsunamis: Located at the subduction zone of oceanic plates, Japan frequently experiences earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis, the earliest recorded disaster being that of the 684 Hakuho Quake. The number of tsunamis in Japan totals 195 over a 1,313 year period, averaging one event every 6.7 years, the highest rate of occurrence in the world. Fortunately, Japan's historical record, combined with scientific insights and technological advances such as computer simulation, provides a rich body of information and perspectives on their hazards.
Earthquakes: Earthquakes have been recorded in Japanese historical documents for over 1,300 years. In addition to the official chronicles written by officers of the imperial court in the ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto, diaries of noblemen and priests make frequent mention of past earthquakes and tsunamis.
For the current exhibition, we selected five historical earthquakes to present. The Zenkoji Quake and the 1858 Hietsu Quake represent typical inland earthquakes. The exhibition also presents detailed distributions of seismic intensity in the Edo-Tokyo area for the 1703 Genroku Quake, the 1855 Ansei-Edo Quake, and the 1923 Great Kanto Quake.
Volcanic Eruptions: There are many volcanoes in the Japanese archipelago. Of the roughly 1,500 active volcanoes in the world, 108 are in Japan. This exhibition seeks to illustrate important features of volcanic disasters by focusing on the representative cases of Mounts Fuji, Unzen, and Asama.
Recovering from Disaster: Relief to natural disaster victims is a recurring subject of administrative records throughout Japanese history. But such records do not often provide detailed descriptions of recovery from the perspective of ordinary people. This exhibition seeks to demonstrate the ways that ordinary people have recovered from natural disaster. It focuses on three major disasters from the Edo period--the Kisakata Quake of 1804, the Zenkoji Quake of 1847, and the Ansei-Edo Quake of 1855--and the recent Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake of 1995.
(3) 20th Anniversary Special Exhibition
Popular Culture and Created Heroes (March 16 to June 6, 2004)
Until now, the National Museum of Japanese History has held exhibitions and conducted research on the history of the lives and culture of the Japanese people over a broad spectrum without focusing on specific historical figures. However, although outlaws make up part of what is meant by "the people", they are not subjects that are easily researched, which is why they have not been covered by exhibitions and the like until now. In this Special Exhibition, we publish the results of research on outlaws who have, as yet, never been covered in the annals of history.
Stirring up trouble as lawless, anti-social, and anti-authoritarian elements of society, outlaws have continued to be excluded from official history and other academic disciplines. Therefore, making them the focus of historical research has been fraught with much difficulty.
However, there was once an unofficial history of the common folk. It competed with official history and the protagonists that filled this history were outlaws such as gamblers, chivalrous men, masterless samurai, itinerant priests, and entertainers. Of all the periods of Japanese history, it was at the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate and beginning of the Meiji Restoration that the roles played by these legendary heroes reached their peak. They were written about in books, depicted in colored woodblock prints, portrayed in Kabuki, and appeared in stories and narrative ballads, becoming popular heroes deeply ingrained in the people's consciousness.
This Special Exhibition aims to retell history, starting with these gamblers and chivalrous men who appear in legends. In particular, through their activities, we attempt to sift through the history of the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate and beginning of the Meiji Restoration. Making use of the methods of written history, we draw closer to the outlaws that appeared in Kabuki and stories by gradually peeling away the firmly encrusted layers of fact and fiction.
In the first part of the exhibition, called "Backgrounds of the Outlaw", we pursue the ideological roots that gave rise to outlaws while focusing on the "Shi Ji" (one of the first official histories of China) and the "Shuihu Zhuan" ("Suikoden", a Chinese novel translated as "Outlaws of the Marsh"). From the prosperity of silk production, highway stations, ports, and landings of riverbank, we capture the foundations of society in which outlaws lived.
In the second part, called "A Group of Outlaws", we move away from the fiction as we close in on the facts about outlaws who were turned into heroes, such as Kunisada Chuji and Shimizu no Jirocho, and the figures who appear in the "Tempo Suikoden". We also examine the Meiji Restoration, a period when outlaws burst onto the pages of official history, from the perspective of the gamblers who were eradicated.
In the third part, called "Invented Heroes in the Media", we study how outlaws were made into heroes through a wide range of media, including stories, narrative ballads, plays, and movies.
(1) Science in the Quest for History (Oct.21 - Nov.30, 2003)
(2) Japanese Architecture (Oct.21, 2003 - Feb.15, 2004)
(3) Exhibition of New Acquisitions (Jan.14 - Feb.15, 2004)
(4) Special Program at the Botanical Garden of Everyday Life:
Traditional Plants of the Seasons;
Japanese Primrose (Apr.22 - May.5, 2003)
Japanese Morning Glory (Aug.12-31, 2003)
Classical Chrysanthemum (Oct.21 - Nov.9, 2003)
Sasanqua (Nov.18 - Dec.26, 2003)
For activities related to the museum collections of the academic year of 2003, NMJH collected materials, made replicas, held New Collections of Exhibits, published museum collection catalogs, and called meetings for the Investigative Committee on Museum Collections.
In preparation for incorporation, as a provisional measure to handle the various issues relating to NMJH's collections, a new Museum Collections Information Utilization Promotion Committee was set up, combining the existing Materials Committee, Library Committee, and Committee of Information System. The new committee started work on deliberation relating to these topics.
Specifically, there was discussion on how to establish a policy for the way NMJH collects materials, on creating a manual on taking care of materials, on making arrangements for holding audit committee meetings, on establishing a same-day viewing system for material in the Museum's collections, and on the storage of materials and the environment maintained.
Of these, the issue of how to establish a policy for the way NMJH collects materials is a particularly important one for the committee, and has been a regular agenda item for several years. The committee has attempted to review the conventional approach to the collection of materials, but the committee members have been unable to form a consensus. However, with incorporation scheduled for the next academic year, there is a need to utilize the various materials in many different ways. NMJH is in the position of having to meet this need for change. Examining how to establish a policy for collecting materials, as well as examining how materials should be categorized and stored, is essential information for making effective use of the limited financial resources. We are now in a situation where the committee must proceed apace with its deliberations.
On the topic of establishing manuals for the management of materials, investigations have looked at the detailed parts of earlier manuals, but since the current manual focuses mainly on the storage aspects of management, there is a need for a new manual that covers all aspects in general, including the need to display the materials at some point in the future. With regard to making arrangements for holding audit committee meetings, the requirements were documented, discussed and approved by the teaching staff council and by the general staff council. The topics of practical operation and implementation will be discussed in 2004. Investigations relating to the storage of materials and their environment have attempted to cover the disinfestation issue, controlling harmful organisms on a whole-museum basis, and establishing a setup for repairing materials. Details are given under the Examination Committee on Museum Storage Environment.
As at March 2004, the total number of materials acquired through purchase, gifts, or as fabricated materials had reached approximately 194,000 items. Cataloging for each of the main collections is already progressing smoothly, but the mid-term targets after incorporation in 2004 call for the surveys of exhibits, the formulation of catalogues, and the formulation of databases, etc. Continuing along this track will eventually allow the publication of further data.
In addition to the formation of databases based on compilation of research outcomes, work proceeded on furnishing a detailed database of materials in NMJH collection. The work on a system for providing information to museum visitors (the REKIHAKU Cross Road) included super fine digital data for the purpose of exhibiting materials in the collection in electronic form, and also the creation of content for broadcast terminals, and for the provision of information via internet to ordinary users as "Virtual Exhibitions". These activities are based on the "NMJH Fifth Stage of Information System Program" planned in July 1998, and the "Action Plan" of March 2000. To accommodate progress in the Information System thereafter and to reflect the progress in system plans, the Committee revised the Action Plan in November 2001.
The Museum Collections Information Utilization Promotion Committee firmly maintains its existing long-term acquisitions policy, and at the same time, at the July Committee meeting, it debated the current situation in the museum regarding books and libraries, looking particularly at issues that have arisen, and is moving ahead with improvements. Because the library is already at the limit of storage space, the Committee has discussed and is implementing policy regarding journals at the moment as follows: (1) for the time being, to take in university research bulletins and research journals where they are basic journals or continuing journals, (2) to keep journal purchase to the minimum necessary, to make effective use of electronic media and networks. Policies like these are being decided and implemented. Regarding the issue of storage space, as part of the pursuit of the ability to make materials available on the same day that an order is placed, consideration has been given to a policy of splitting materials such as photographs, book reproductions, modern and contemporary printed books off from the library rooms and handling them separately as archive materials. This policy has already been partly implemented. Further investigation of the topic of making books and materials available has led to a decision to implement organizational reforms from 2004, shifting responsibility for the library from the Museum Collections Information Utilization Promotion Committee to the Research Cooperation Committee.
In particular, the library book storeroom for contemporary research books is increasingly constrained, so a further ten rows of powered shelving have been added to alleviate the situation, providing storage space for approximately 13,000 books. In order to secure a presentation and exhibition space that enables research results to be published and exhibited as quickly as possible, the library space available to visitors has been reduced to about one third. In 2003, visitors to Rekihaku made 116 reference requests in the library.
One of the important research activities in NMJH is the research on historical materials analysis in a broader sense. It includes analysis of the historical materials by means of new methodologies based on the state of art technology. To this aim the NMJH has endeavored at introducing research equipments since its establishment, as well as promoting the collaboration with scholars and researchers outside the museum who engage in the development of methodology.
10 equipments, which include analytical instruments, computers, and audio-visual equipments, have been installed in the last five years. The equipments that were introduced in the academic year of 2003 are laser microsampling unit, dating sample adjustment system for use with historical materials which has been added to our list of earlier equipments such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy device and Large micro region analysis device an X-ray diffractometer, and an automatic sample preparation system for radiocarbon dating, 3-dimensional image input equipment, extremely large image display system, digital HF microscope, vacuum line system for sample preparation of radiocarbon dating, X-ray film digitizer, high frequency furnace for carbon and sulfur analysis of metal and CO2 extraction, inductively coupled plasma / glow-discharge mass spectrometer: ICP / GD-MS, Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer: FT-IR, X-ray fluorescence spectrometer: XRF, scanning electron microscopes: SEM, X-ray CT scanner, thermal ionization mass spectrometer: TI-MS, etc. Most of he research equipments are open for use to the researchers who engage in the collaboration research programs of the museum.
The purpose of public relations work by NMJH is to publicize NMJH research activities and museum activities that provide a base for research, telling a wide range of people outside the museum about them. It also aims to provide support for NMJH visitors to enable them to gain a broader understanding and appreciation of Japan's history and culture. The main public relations and publications activities in 2003 are as follows.
Lectures and courses held included the "Rekihaku Forums" (four sessions), the "Rekihaku Lecture Series" (twelve sessions), "Rekihaku Exploration" (twelve sessions), "Observation Gatherings at the Botanical Garden of Everyday Life" (twelve sessions), and "Classes in Experiencing the Botanical Garden of Everyday Life" (six sessions). Reports on the previous year's Rekihaku Forums were published.
Work continued to build links with education in schools, including the "Rekihaku Seminar for Teachers". Projects conducted or held as part of efforts to utilize NMJH in lifelong learning programs included the "Family Quiz Program", "Summer Holidays Independent Project Consultation Room", and "Show and Tell" sessions.
Work on meeting the needs of our more international audience continued, following 2002's English and Korean editions of the guidebook to the general exhibitions with a new Chinese edition. We also continued to introduce NMJH's activities to specific regions, producing "Story of Bronze Vessels Unearthed at Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture" as a NMJH Introduction Kit.
Vol.109
Vol.110 The Interaction between Wa and Gaya in Acient Eastern Asia
Vol.111 A Study of the Medieval and Early Modern Period Graveyards in Yamato
Vol.112 Local Societies and Basic Belief
Vol.113 Distribution, Consumption and the Places in Ancient and Medieval Times
Collaborative Research: Studies in the Urban History in Japan
Group A: the Second Stage
Vol.114 Collaborative Research: General Studies on "Tsukurimono"
Vol.115 Ohara Yugaku and the Village Community in Toso District
Collaborative Research: Various Aspect of Culture and Basic Beliefs in the Regional Community
Vol.116 Collaborative Research: Comprehensive Study of Regional Rangaku
Vol.117 Collaborative Research: Basic Research on Folkloric Visual Materials
Vol.118 Collaborative Research: Natural Disasters and Developments in Japanese History II
Vol.119 The 3rd REKIHAKU International Symposium of the National Museum of Japanese History
The formation of Agricultural Societies and Civilization in East Asia
Vol.120 Collaborative Research: Diversification and Integration of Historical Materials Analysis
* Haniwa - Form and Meaning (2003.3)
* Document Disaster: Natural Disasters in Japanese History, 1703-2003 (2003.6)
* Science in the Quest for History (2003.10)
* Popular Culture and Created Heroes (2004.3)
* Research Report of National Museum of Japanese History vol.14:
Personal Experiences of war, 1931-1945: A Survey of Japanese Written and Oral Record (2004.3.30)
* Monographs Illustrated Catalogue of National Museum of Japanese History vol.3:
Collection of Japanese Musical Instruments: Heirloom of Kishu-Tokugawa Family (2004.3.31)
No.118-123
What are historical exhibits?; History-oriented museums today and tomorrow
* The front line of history research vol.1:
The shaking archaeological common knowledge-issue on the forgery of Early / Middle Paleolithic archaeology in Japan and dating the Yayoi Period by AMS
* The front line of history research vol.2:
The subject of environmental history research
The course of specialized studies in Japanese History at the Graduate University for Advanced Studies is a graduate program for doctoral students whose base organization is the National Museum of Japanese History. NMJH is an inter-university research institute with a focus on historical studies with four research specializations-the study of history, archaeology, folklore and museum science - and over fifty affiliated scholars and researchers. A characteristic feature of NMJH is that it not only supports individual research but also actively pursues collaborative research with researchers outside the Museum.
NMJH exhibitions are also not merely displays of valuable material. They have been planned as a result of collaborative research and, therefore, are also presentations of research results.
The objective of the Graduate University for Advanced Studies is to foster scholars and researchers with a high level of specialized knowledge and research skills. The specific goal is to use the results of research conducted while in the graduate course to prepare a doctoral dissertation and obtain a doctorate degree. The dissertation should deal with front-line discoveries and theories in that particular field so that preparing the dissertation can be expected to result in progress being made by the discipline itself, as well as by the author in his or her studies. In this respect, doctoral dissertations deal with very specialized fields so that their subjects and outlook tend to be very narrowly focused.
However, if one is to construct an entire academic system through the preparation of the dissertation, this requires a broad perspective and diversified methodology, from defining issues to developing the logic and making deductions. Therefore, as a prerequisite to beginning the dissertation, it is necessary to cultivate broad knowledge without specializing in one narrow area. In this respect, the course of specialized studies in Japanese History at the Graduate University for Advanced Studies is home to many researchers in the four closely linked fields, and the education given here offers many different outlooks for the students. It is not easy to deepen one's understanding of one's specialization and broaden one's horizon in the limited timeframe of three years. Nevertheless, the curriculum for this course is based on the requests of the students.
Furthermore, the fact that the core organization for this course is a museum provides access to a great collection of research material. There is also a generous amount of analytical equipment used to obtain new information from such material and computers used to process the data. Therefore, it is expected that students will make the most of this course of specialized studies in Japanese History, which, as an inter-university research institute, enjoys both plentiful human resources and facilities.
2003 is the course's fifth year. Eighteen students are enrolled in various specializations such as history, archaeology, and folklore. A substantial variety of lectures are scheduled to meet the academic needs of the students, who follow the lectures with great enthusiasm. There are currently three students who are studying in this course while employed by a local board of education or museum. That is another characteristic of this course - that it gives people who have work in their own region the chance to obtain a higher level of knowledge without giving up their jobs.
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