Jomin Bunka Museum
On March 13, 2023, the Exhibition Room of the Institute for the Study of Japanese Folk Culture, Kanagawa University, was reopened as the Jomin Bunka Museum.
Kanagawa University Museum Commons
The Kanagawa University Museum Commons comprises three zones split into three exhibition rooms (Kanagawa University History Exhibition Room, Jomin Bunka Museum, and Special Exhibition Room), a study space, and a multi-purpose lounge area. This area as a whole is referred to as the “Museum Commons,” whereas the lounge is named the “Yoneda Yoshimori Memorial Lounge,” after the founder of Kanagawa University. This space is used to disseminate the history and research results of the university mainly through exhibitions and, furthermore, as a place for learning and exchange open to students and the local community.
Building 3, Yokohama Campus, Kanagawa University
[Open]
Mondays-Saturdays 10:00-17:00
*However, closed Saturdays during non-class periods
[Closed]
Sundays, National holidays *Except for class days
University holidays, Saturdays during non-class periods
Jomin Bunka Museum
Since its establishment in 1921 by Keizo Shibusawa, the Institute for the Study of Japanese Folk Culture has achieved unique and unparalleled results in a wide range of fields related to Japanese folk society, including the collection and categorization of mingu, the collection and archiving of historical documents, and research into the history of fisheries.
After being relaunched in 1982 as a university-affiliated institute, the ISJFC has maintained these traditions by continuing to develop as a center for academic and international research.
Recently, the exhibition room has been reopened as the Jomin Bunka Museum and is now accessible to the public.
The new exhibition is divided into four corners—Approaches to Studying Japanese Folk Culture, Life along the Sea and Its Wisdom, Fabrics for Everyday Clothes, and Documenting Local Lives. There is a a map of Japan on the floor indicating the regions covered by the archived materials on life and culture published by the ISJFC, whereas the outer wall shows a chronological chart of the 100-year history of folk culture research.
Permanent Exhibitions
-
Approaches to Studying Japanese Folk Culture -
Life along the Sea and Its Wisdom -
Fabrics for Everyday Clothes -
Documenting Local Lives
Special Exhibitions in 2024
Ethnic Identity Transcending National Borders: Yao Rituals and Ceremonial Paintings
[Exhibition Period] September 9 (Monday), 2024–October 31 (Thursday), 2024
Professor Ritsuko Hirota, member of ISJFC, outlining her thoughts on the exhibition
This exhibition of Yao ceremonial paintings has been realized through a joint project between the Institute for the Study of Japanese Folk Culture (ISJFC), which has been conducting research and analysis of the lives, culture, and history of the Japanese people for the past 100 years, and the Institute for the Study of Yao Culture, a world-class research center for Yao culture.
The Yao ceremonial paintings held by the Institute for the Study of Yao Culture are among the best in Japan and the world in terms of both quality and quantity. There is no precedent in Japan for an exhibition where such a number of Yao ceremonial paintings can be viewed together in the one place.
We hope that by raising awareness regarding the cultural and anthropological value of Yao culture through the ceremonial paintings, we can contribute to the preservation, utilization, and transmissionpassing down of this culture to the next generation, which is currently facing difficulties due to various societal changes.
[Venue] Special Exhibition Room, Kanagawa University Museum Commons (1F Building No. 3, Yokohama Campus, Kanagawa University)
[Opening Hours] Monday–Saturday 10:00–17:00
[Closed] Sundays, National Holidays, and September 14 (Saturday)
*However, the exhibition will be open on October 27 (Sunday).
[Admission Fee] Free of charge
[Organizers] Institute for the Study of Yao Culture and Institute for the Study of Japanese Folk Culture (Kanagawa University)
[Contact] Institute for the Study of Japanese Folk Culture (Kanagawa University)
3-27-1 Rokkakubashi, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 221-8686, Japan
[TEL] 045-481-5661 (main) jomin-office@kanagawa-u.ac.jp
Related Events
Kanagawa University 2024 International Symposium of the International Exchange Program
“The Multifaceted Nature and Unity of Yao”
[Date] October 11, 2024 (Friday), 9:10–18:30, and October 12, 2024 (Saturday), 8:50–18:30
[Venue] 1F Yoneda Yoshimori Memorial Hall, Minato Mirai Campus, Kanagawa University
[No Prior Application Needed] Please register at the reception desk at the first floor entrance and collect your visitor card.
Museum Talks
The Director of the Institute for the Study of Yao Culture, Professor Ritsuko Hirota (member of ISJFC and professor of Kanagawa University), will share her thoughts on the exhibits that have not been conveyed through the explanatory panels (Japanese only).
[Date and Time]
October 26, 2024 (Saturday), 13:30–14:30
October 27, 2024 (Sunday), 13:30–14:30
[Meeting Point] In front of the Special Exhibition Room
[Participation Fee] Free of charge
[Capacity] 10 people
[Application] Prior application required via the “Museum Talk Application Form” (first-come, first-served basis)
[Application Period] August 23, 2024 (Friday)–October 15, 2024 (Tuesday), 12:00
*Applications will be closed once maximum capacity is reached.
