Warrior figure offers warm welcome: Tokyo National Museum’s renewed gallery brings artifacts, visitors closer
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The Yomiuri Junior Press
After undergoing a complete refurbishment for the first time since it opened in 1999, the Japanese Archaeology Gallery at the Tokyo National Museum has reopened it doors to visitors, greeting them with a precious haniwa tomb figure in the shape of an armored warrior.
The gallery is located in the Heiseikan building of the museum in Ueno, Tokyo. About 1,000 archaeological remains from the Paleolithic age through the Edo period (1603-1867) are on display, including dogu clay figures, dotaku bronze bells and haniwa.
With the exception of a few replicas, original items fill the collection. The refurbishment allows the gallery to show some items that could not previously be displayed.
Visitors can now study history through these objects while getting a closer feel for the life and culture of each historical period.
A highlight of the renovation is the improved layout of the gallery.
The museum said it decided to place the human-like haniwa at the entrance facing visitors to create a welcoming atmosphere, making it easier to enter the gallery.
This haniwa is the only one designated a national treasure. Dubbed “keiko no bujin” (warrior in keiko ancient armor), the haniwa dates from the Kofun period (ca 300-ca 710) and is armed with sword and bow. The strong-looking figure stands approximately 130 centimeters tall.(221 words)
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