The Museum, Archaeological Institute of Kashihara, Nara Prefecture


The Museum, Archaeological Institute of Kashihara, Nara Prefecture first opened under another name in Kashihara, Nara Prefecture, Japan, in 1940. The collection includes artefacts excavated from Fujinoki Kofun that have been designated a National Treasure. In addition to the permanent display, there are two special exhibitions each year, in spring and autumn.

History

The Archaeological Institute of Kashihara was established in 1938 in connection with Kashihara Jingū's preparations for the 2,600th anniversary celebrations of the legendary foundation of Japan in 660 BC by Emperor Jimmu. In 1940 the Yamato Provincial Museum opened and in 1949 this was renamed the Yamato History Museum. With the Museum Act of 1951, it gained the status of a museum-equivalent facility. Its formal registration as a museum proper was in 1968, a year after the move to a new building. In 1970 it was renamed the Kashihara Park Archaeological Museum, and in 1973 the Nara Prefectural Museum of Archaeology, becoming the Archaeological Institute Museum a year later. In April 1980 the Museum gained its current name. A new hall opened in October that year; this was renewed in 1997.