The National Museum of Ethnology (Minpaku) is a research center for ethnology and cultural anthropology.

Past Thematic Exhibitions, Traveling Exhibitions

Arirang: The Soul of Korea
Arirang: The Soul of Korea
May 2, 2013 ~ June 11, 2013
Transmitting Memories: Tsunami Disaster and Cultural Heritage
Transmitting Memories: Tsunami Disaster and Cultural Heritage
September 27, 2012 ~ November 27, 2012
Indian Popular Art ～ Encounter with European Modernity
Indian Popular Art ～ Encounter with European Modernity
September 22, 2011 ~ November 29, 2011
The Eye of the Ethnologist: Umesao Tadao
The Eye of the Ethnologist: Umesao Tadao
March 1, 2011 ~ June 14, 2011
Beyond the Boundary in Asia
Beyond the Boundary in Asia
October 14, 2010 ~ December 7, 2010
Rescuing History and Culture Support for cultural treasures that have been affected by disasters, starting with the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake
Rescuing History and Culture Support for cultural treasures that have been affected by disasters, starting with the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake
July 22, 2010 ~ September 28, 2011
Traditional Fabrics, Now The Reality of Southeast Asian Daily Wear
Traditional Fabrics, Now The Reality of Southeast Asian Daily Wear
July 22, 2010 ~ September 14, 2010
Water and Vessels-From Cupped Hands to the Planet
Water and Vessels-From Cupped Hands to the Planet
March 25, 2010 ~ June 22, 2010
Ise Somekatagami-Expert Workmanship Shown in Video and Actuality-
Ise Somekatagami-Expert Workmanship Shown in Video and Actuality-
March 25, 2010 ~ June 29, 2010
The Universe of Braille: Celebrating Louis Braille's Bicentennial
The Universe of Braille: Celebrating Louis Braille's Bicentennial
August 13, 2009 ~ November 24, 2009
Bon Deities in Tibet
Bon Deities in Tibet
April 23, 2009 ~ July 21, 2009
The Naxi Lifeworld: Native Painters in Northwestern Yunnan
The Naxi Lifeworld: Native Painters in Northwestern Yunnan
March 19, 2009 ~ June 23, 2009
Sparkling Indian Embroidery: The World of Indian HandicraftBased on Mr.B.B. Bhasin’s Collection
Sparkling Indian Embroidery: The World of Indian HandicraftBased on Mr.B.B. Bhasin’s Collection
October 9, 2008 ~ March 31, 2009
Reviewing African Images through Historical Maps:From the Age of Exploration to Colonization
Reviewing African Images through Historical Maps:From the Age of Exploration to Colonization
October 23, 2008 ~ November 11, 2008
Viewing the World through Coins and Banknotes
Viewing the World through Coins and Banknotes
March 20, 2008 ~ September 30, 2008
Exploring Latin America: A Photographic Exhibition of Early Archaeological and Anthropological Field Research Projects
Exploring Latin America: A Photographic Exhibition of Early Archaeological and Anthropological Field Research Projects
April 24, 2008 ~ September 23, 2009
Impressions of MINPAKU
Impressions of MINPAKU
March 6, 2008 ~ April 22, 2008
Collecting the World: MINPAKU Staff Selections
Collecting the World: MINPAKU Staff Selections
July 26, 2007 ~ March 4, 2008
Creating and Communicating with Seed Beads
Creating and Communicating with Seed Beads
October 7, 2008 ~ December 18, 2008
Ainu Culture Depicted in Rare Books in the MINPAKU Library
Ainu Culture Depicted in Rare Books in the MINPAKU Library
September 6, 2007 ~ September 25, 2007
Beyond the Clouds: Life in Tibet, the Himalayas and the Andes　A Photo Exhibition of the Works of Yamamoto Norio
Beyond the Clouds: Life in Tibet, the Himalayas and the Andes　A Photo Exhibition of the Works of Yamamoto Norio
February 24, 2007 ~ April 10, 2007
Gifts of the World : Objects as Ties between Children and Their Society
Gifts of the World : Objects as Ties between Children and Their Society
October 12, 2007 ~ March 21, 2007
Taiwan Aboriginal Peoples and Their Languages in the 1930’s: Text, Sound and Images from the Ogawa-Asai Collection
Taiwan Aboriginal Peoples and Their Languages in the 1930’s: Text, Sound and Images from the Ogawa-Asai Collection
September 21, 2006 ~ December 12, 2006
Natural History of the 17-18th Century: From the Rare Books of MINPAKU Library
Natural History of the 17-18th Century: From the Rare Books of MINPAKU Library
November 2, 2006 ~ November 28, 2006
Touch and Grow Rich: You Can Touch Our Museum!
Touch and Grow Rich: You Can Touch Our Museum!
March 9, 2006 ~ September 26, 2006
MINPAKU Museum of Insects
MINPAKU Museum of Insects
July 13, 2006 ~ September 5, 2006
New Collections from Polynesia: Lapita Culture to the Chiefdom
New Collections from Polynesia: Lapita Culture to the Chiefdom
November 11, 2004 ~ March 28, 2006
Worlds in Landscape Models
Worlds in Landscape Models
October 13, 2005 ~ February 28, 2006
Street Art in Africa
Street Art in Africa
February 26, 2005 ~ September 27, 2005
Minpaku Aquarium
Minpaku Aquarium
July 21, 2005 ~ September 20, 2005
When Schools and Minpaku Encounter Each Other: Learning from the Museum-School Collaboration and Exhibition of Children’s Artifacts
When Schools and Minpaku Encounter Each Other: Learning from the Museum-School Collaboration and Exhibition of Children’s Artifacts
July 28, 2005 ~ September 5, 2005
An Ainu Weaving System Mistaken as ”Traditional" by Researchers
An Ainu Weaving System Mistaken as ”Traditional" by Researchers
December 1, 2004 ~ December 26, 2004
Minpaku Zoo
Minpaku Zoo
July 15, 2004 ~ November 23, 2004
Ajima, Traditional Life and Culture in Okinawa: An Exhibition from the Okinawa Prefectural Museum Collection
Ajima, Traditional Life and Culture in Okinawa: An Exhibition from the Okinawa Prefectural Museum Collection
October 2, 2003 ~ June 1, 2004
Permanent Exhibitions "The Culture of The Americas Region: Inuit Art of the Far North."
Permanent Exhibitions "The Culture of The Americas Region: Inuit Art of the Far North."
June 1, 2003 ~ November 23, 2010
Permanent Exhibitions "The Culture of the African Region: The Streets of Senegal."
Permanent Exhibitions "The Culture of the African Region: The Streets of Senegal."
April 1, 2003 ~ November 11, 2008
Permanent Exhibitions "The Culture of the Chinese Region: Indigo-Blue Tie-Dyeing from the Village of the Bai People in Yunnan, China."
Permanent Exhibitions "The Culture of the Chinese Region: Indigo-Blue Tie-Dyeing from the Village of the Bai People in Yunnan, China."
April 1, 2003 ~ December 31, 2012
Permanent Exhibitions "The Culture of the Chinese Region: The Indigenous Cultures of Taiwan."
Permanent Exhibitions "The Culture of the Chinese Region: The Indigenous Cultures of Taiwan."
April 1, 2003 ~ December 31, 2012
Permanent Exhibitions "The Culture of the European Region: From Christmas to Easter."
Permanent Exhibitions "The Culture of the European Region: From Christmas to Easter."
April 1, 2003 ~ December 27, 2011
Permanent Exhibitions "The Culture of the European Region:The Holiday Lights of Europe."
Permanent Exhibitions "The Culture of the European Region:The Holiday Lights of Europe."
April 1, 2003 ~ December 27, 2011
Indigo-Blue Tie-Dyeing in Yunnan, China: From the Village of the Bai People
Indigo-Blue Tie-Dyeing in Yunnan, China: From the Village of the Bai People
February 23, 2002 ~ November 5, 2002
Tanaka Chiyo Collection: Western Costumes in Modern Japan and World Costumes
Tanaka Chiyo Collection: Western Costumes in Modern Japan and World Costumes
August 1, 2002 ~ September 8, 2002
Inuit Art of the Arctic
Inuit Art of the Arctic
July 2, 2002 ~ July 23, 2002
Flowers of Khmer Culture: Music, Dance and Theater of Cambodia
Flowers of Khmer Culture: Music, Dance and Theater of Cambodia
August 24, 2001 ~ February 17, 2002
Exhibition of Recently Donated Items
Exhibition of Recently Donated Items
February 24, 2001 ~ August 21, 2001
Fans from Around the World
Fans from Around the World
August 26, 2000 ~ February 18, 2001
Mandala: The Space where deities reside
Mandala: The Space where deities reside
February 26, 2000 ~ August 22, 2000
Life and Religious Culture in Rural Rumania
Life and Religious Culture in Rural Rumania
August 27, 1999 ~ February 20, 2000
Children’s Views of the Environment: From the International Children’s Painting Competition on the Environment, UNEP
Children’s Views of the Environment: From the International Children’s Painting Competition on the Environment, UNEP
February 26, 1999 ~ August 24, 1999
Instruments from the Arabian World: Where Sound Is Culture
Instruments from the Arabian World: Where Sound Is Culture
August 28, 1998 ~ February 23, 1999
Popular Art in the Andes
Popular Art in the Andes
February 27, 1998 ~ August 25, 1998
The Fascinating World of Beads in the Southern Africa
The Fascinating World of Beads in the Southern Africa
August 29, 1997 ~ February 24, 1998
Tenjin Dolls: A Gift to the God
Tenjin Dolls: A Gift to the God
February 28, 1997 ~ August 26, 1997
Three Wise Monkeys of the World: See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil
Three Wise Monkeys of the World: See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil
August 30, 1996 ~ February 25, 1997
Life on a Riverbank in Nepal
Life on a Riverbank in Nepal
February 29, 1996 ~ August 27, 1996
Modern Asian Letters from the Collection of NAKANISHI Ryo
Modern Asian Letters from the Collection of NAKANISHI Ryo
September 28, 1995 ~ February 27, 1996
Ceremonial Coinage in Equatorial Africa
Ceremonial Coinage in Equatorial Africa
March 30, 1995 ~ September 26, 1995
Yarn Art in Huichol
Yarn Art in Huichol
September 1, 1994 ~ February 28, 1995
Sea-Shore Fishing in the Sea of Japan
Sea-Shore Fishing in the Sea of Japan
February 24, 1994 ~ August 30, 1994
Agrarian Villages and Fishery Villages in Estonia
Agrarian Villages and Fishery Villages in Estonia
September 7, 1993 ~ February 22, 1994
Zhuang Culture in China
Zhuang Culture in China
February 25, 1993 ~ August 31, 1993
Ethnology and Culture of Laos
Ethnology and Culture of Laos
August 27, 1992 ~ February 23, 1993
Highlands and Lowlands in Ethiopia Rivers, Oceans and the Tundra of Sakhalin
Highlands and Lowlands in Ethiopia Rivers, Oceans and the Tundra of Sakhalin
February 27, 1992 ~ August 24, 1992
The Asmat Peoples of Irian Jaya Aboriginal People in Sarawak Malaysia
The Asmat Peoples of Irian Jaya Aboriginal People in Sarawak Malaysia
September 12, 1991 ~ February 25, 1992
The Art of Earth and Fire: Terra-cotta in Indonesia
The Art of Earth and Fire: Terra-cotta in Indonesia
November 29, 1990 ~ May 1, 1991
Stock Farmers in the Upper Nile: Life in Narim
Stock Farmers in the Upper Nile: Life in Narim
May 31, 1990 ~ November 1, 1990
The Sepik Region of Papua New Guinea
The Sepik Region of Papua New Guinea
November 30, 1989 ~ November 1, 1990
Fishing Implements of the Northern Bay of Bengal
Fishing Implements of the Northern Bay of Bengal
May 25, 1989 ~ November 27, 1989
Ainu Traditional Clothing
Ainu Traditional Clothing
November 25, 1988 ~ May 22, 1989
Brazilian Popular Woodblock Prints
Brazilian Popular Woodblock Prints
May 26, 1988 ~ November 23, 1988
The Beauty of Kites: China
The Beauty of Kites: China
November 26, 1987 ~ May 23, 1988
Iranian and Turkish Textiles
Iranian and Turkish Textiles
May 28, 1987 ~ November 23, 1987
The Kingdom of Bhutan: Its Yak and Rice Culture
The Kingdom of Bhutan: Its Yak and Rice Culture
November 27, 1986 ~ May 25, 1987
North American Indian Culture
North American Indian Culture
May 29, 1986 ~ November 24, 1986
A Culture of Wood: Finland
A Culture of Wood: Finland
November 28, 1985 ~ May 26, 1986
The World of Indian Soil
The World of Indian Soil
May 30, 1985 ~ November 25, 1985
Life in Egypt
Life in Egypt
November 15, 1984 ~ May 17, 1985
West African Textiles: Narrow Cotton Cloths
West African Textiles: Narrow Cotton Cloths
May 24, 1984 ~ November 1, 1984
American Indian Basketry
American Indian Basketry
November 17, 1983 ~ May 22, 1984
Ethnology of Switzerland and Austrian Alpine Regions
Ethnology of Switzerland and Austrian Alpine Regions
May 1, 1983 ~ November 15, 1983
Burmese Statues and Marionettes
Burmese Statues and Marionettes
November 16, 1982 ~ May 7, 1983
Lives of Australian Aboriginal peoples
Lives of Australian Aboriginal peoples
May 13, 1982 ~ December 14, 1983
Traditional Clothes in Guatemala and Mexican Tiger Masks
Traditional Clothes in Guatemala and Mexican Tiger Masks
May 13, 1982 ~ December 14, 1983
Dolls of Native Americans in the South-Western Region of North America
Dolls of Native Americans in the South-Western Region of North America
July 23, 1981 ~ November 10, 1983
Traditional Clothes of Chinese Minority Groups
Traditional Clothes of Chinese Minority Groups
March 26, 1981 ~ July 21, 1981
Ethnological Materials from Bulgaria
Ethnological Materials from Bulgaria
June 12, 1980 ~ March 24, 1981
West African Statues
West African Statues
November 15, 1979 ~ June 10, 1980
Clay Dolls, Local Toys, and Nebuta Floats
Clay Dolls, Local Toys, and Nebuta Floats
March 29, 1979 ~ November 13, 1979
Current and planned Thematic Exhibitions, Traveling Exhibitions