Latest news with #OsakaMuseumofHistory
Yomiuri Shimbun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Princess Akiko of Mikasa Appreciates Exhibition about Shoso-in Imperial Treasures in Osaka
OSAKA — Princess Akiko of Mikasa viewed an exhibition displaying the splendor of the Shoso-in Imperial treasures at the Osaka Museum of History in Osaka on Monday. Princess Akiko spent about an hour appreciating artistic ultra-high-resolution 3D images of the treasures projected onto a screen at 'Shosoin THE SHOW – Japanese Imperial Treasures / Experience the history and the miracle!' after being received by a group including Takehiko Iida, head of the Office of the Shosoin Treasure House at the Imperial Household Agency, and Takayuki Tanaka, president of The Yomiuri Shimbun, Osaka. She also observed faithfully reconstructed replicas of some of the treasures, including that of the five-stringed biwa lute of red sandalwood with mother-of-pearl inlay. According to Iida, who guided Princess Akiko, when she visited a corner where visitors could smell the recreated scent of Ojukuko, also known as Ranjatai, — a piece of incense wood said to be the finest in the world — she said it was soft and befitting the name of Ojukuko, which literally means 'ripe yellow incense.' Organized by The Yomiuri Shimbun and others, the exhibition will run through Aug. 24.
Yomiuri Shimbun
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Shosoin THE SHOW: Immersive Exhibition Brings Ancient Japanese Treasures to Life in Osaka; Treasure-inspired Modern Creations Also on Display
The Yomiuri Shimbun Visitors watch an immersive video at the Osaka Museum of History on Saturday. 'Shosoin THE SHOW — Japanese Imperial Treasures / Experience the history and the miracle!' allows visitors to experience the splendor of the Shoso-in treasures through cutting-edge digital imagery and music. Organized by The Yomiuri Shimbun and others, the exhibition projects ultra-high-resolution 3D images of the treasures onto a screen approximately 20 meters wide, complemented by artistic staging. Eleven faithfully reconstructed replicas are on display, including the 'Five-stringed biwa lute of shitan with mother-of-pearl inlay' and the 'Red stained ivory shaku ruler with bachiru decoration.' There is also a dedicated corner where visitors can sample the fragrance of the aromatic wood, known as Ranjatai. Four artists inspired by the treasures have also created musical, ceramic and other works, and these are being showcased as well. 'I hope that even those unfamiliar with the Shoso-in treasures can feel their allure through fashion and music,' said fashion designer Tomoe Shinohara, who produced a dress based on the 'Persian-style lacquered ewer' topped with a bird-shaped lid. The exhibition will run at the venue through Aug. 24. It will then move to The Ueno Royal Museum in Tokyo from Sept. 20 to Nov. 9.
Korea Herald
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Chinese name for ancient Korean kingdom at Japanese museum draws backlash
Ancient kingdom Balhae's capital Sanggyeong labeled as 'Bohai Shangjing' at Japan's Osaka Museum of History Japan's Osaka Museum of History has come under fire for using a Chinese-style term for the ancient Korean kingdom of Balhae. According to civic activist Seo Kyoung-duk on Friday, the Japanese museum labeled Balhae and its capital, Sanggyeong, as 'Bohai' and 'Shangjing,' respectively, in its exhibits featuring photographs of historical sites in key neighboring regions around ancient Osaka. These English terms are often used by China to argue that Balhae was a regional regime founded by the Mohe people, an ethnic group that lived in the northern Korean Penninsula and northeastern Manchuria around the sixth century and which is claimed by China as one of its many ethnic groups. In Korean history, Balhae was the successor state to the ancient Goguryeo Kingdom (37 BC–668 AD). Founded in 698 by Dae Jo-yeong, a former Goguryeo general, the ancient kingdom was known for its active maritime trade with neighboring states, including China's Tang Dynasty, Japan and the Silla Kingdom. In an email to the museum, Seo urged officials to revise the terminology, stating, 'A history museum has a duty to present accurate history to visitors from around the world.' 'China's historical distortion is getting worse. Its artificial intelligence model DeepSeek has even claimed that Goguryeo and Balhae are part of Chinese history,' he added. "Inaccurate portrayals of history overseas could be used to legitimize these false claims and must be corrected." Under the 'Northeast Project,' the Chinese government has advanced initiatives to reframe the historical and cultural heritage of neighboring areas -- historically associated with China -- as part of its own history. Earlier in February, DeepSeek, a generative AI model developed in China, sparked controversy after responding to a question from Korea's National Intelligence Service -- 'To which country do Goguryeo and Balhae belong?' -- by claiming that both were key parts of China's ancient history. When asked where kimchi originates, DeepSeek responded, "It is a signature Korean food imbued with its culture and history," according to the spy agency. But when asked the same question in Chinese, it said, "The origin is not Korea, but China," and "It is related to Korea," when asked in English, the NIS said. Meanwhile, Chinese e-commerce platforms operating in Korea have also faced criticism for appearing to support the Northeast Project. When users search for kimchi on Temu, for example, the results include images of jars labeled with the Chinese term 'pao cai,' referring to Chinese-style pickled vegetables. 'The Northeast Project began when China saw Korean culture getting big worldwide after the 2000s and felt nervous that Korea might replace it as East Asia's cultural leader," said Seo, who is also a liberal arts professor at Sungshin Women's University.
