Kyushu National Museum facts for kids
| 九州国立博物館 | |
The southern face of the Kyushu National Museum
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| Established | October 16, 2005 |
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| Location | Dazaifu, Fukuoka, Japan |
| Type | Art museum |
| Public transit access | Dazaifu Station, Nishitetsu Dazaifu Line |
The Kyushu National Museum (九州国立博物館 (Kyūshū Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan)) opened its doors on October 16, 2005. It is located in Dazaifu, which is near Fukuoka, Japan. This museum was special because it was the first new national museum to open in Japan in over 100 years! It was also the first national museum to focus more on history than on art.
The museum building looks very modern with its cool design of wood and glass. It sits beautifully among the hills. Inside, the museum uses lots of new technology to help visitors learn. For example, they have a super clear video system. This system helps them record and show off the items in their collection. It also lets more people see the exhibits, even if they can't all fit in the museum at once.
The museum has many important Japanese artifacts. It is especially known for its collection of pottery. These items all help tell the story of Kyūshū's history.
Contents
Exploring the Museum's Collections
The Kyushu National Museum has different areas for its exhibits.
Permanent Exhibits: A Journey Through Time
On the fourth floor, you'll find the permanent collections. These exhibits take you on a journey through Kyūshū's history. They cover everything from very old times (called prehistory) up to the Meiji era. A big part of the museum's focus is on how Kyūshū has shared culture with its neighbors. This includes countries like China and Korea.
Temporary Exhibitions: Something New to See
The third floor is where the museum holds its temporary exhibitions. These shows change often, so there's always something new and exciting to discover!
Caring for History: The Conservation Labs
Unlike many museums in Japan, the Kyushu National Museum has its own special labs. These are called conservation labs. Here, experts work to protect and repair old artifacts. They make sure that these historical treasures last for a very long time. This museum acts as a main center for conservation work in western Japan.
The famous architect Kiyonori Kikutake designed the museum building.
How the Museum Was Created
The idea for the Kyushu National Museum started with a new way of looking at Japanese culture. It wanted to show how Japan's culture was shaped by its connections with other parts of Asia.
Key Dates in the Museum's History
Building a big museum takes many years. Here are some important steps in how the Kyushu National Museum came to be:
- 1994: A group was formed to think about creating a new type of museum.
- 1995: Dazaifu was chosen as the perfect spot for the new "Kyushu National Museum." It's right next to the famous Dazaifu Tenman-gū shrine.
- 1997-2000: Many plans were made. These included ideas for what the museum would be like, how it would be built, and what kind of exhibits it would have.
- 2001: Construction on the museum building began.
- 2003: The main building construction was finished.
- 2005: The museum officially opened its doors to the public! It became known as the "Kyushu National Museum."
- 2007: The museum joined a larger group called the Independent Administrative Institution National Institutes for Cultural Heritage (NICH). This group helps manage national museums and cultural preservation centers across Japan.
