Kurashiki City's Bikan Historical Area is known for its streetscape, which retains a strong sense of the Edo period.
Located at its center, the Kurashiki Archaeological Museum is a facility displaying many artifacts from the Paleolithic period through ancient times.
On August 11, 2021, the Kurashiki Archaeological Museum launched a new initiative, releasing Japan Heritage-themed goods.
These goods were made possible through a collaborative project between the Kurashiki City Japan Heritage Promotion Council and the Kurashiki Archaeological Museum.
Although each had produced goods separately before, this was their first collaboration.
We interviewed them about the goods, including details and the care taken from the planning and development stages.
The information presented was current when this article was published in August 2021. Please note that it may differ from current information.
About the Kurashiki Archaeological Museum
The Kurashiki Archaeological Museum is an eye-catching building featuring the distinctive namako-kabe walls that are a familiar sight in Kurashiki.
It displays artifacts excavated from archaeological sites in the Kibi region, which extended from Okayama Prefecture into eastern Hiroshima Prefecture, and surrounding areas.
The museum also displays special pedestals, which are thought to be the origin of haniwa clay figures, making it an essential facility for telling the story of Japan Heritage.
It also exhibits items from other prefectures and places such as Peru.
Along with the Kurashiki Museum of Folkcraft and the Ohara Museum of Art, which opened around the same time, it is considered one of the three major cultural facilities in the Bikan Historical Area.
For more details, please read the article below.
Introducing the Japan Heritage Goods
The Kurashiki Archaeological Museum displays valuable materials, including artifacts excavated from archaeological sites in the Kibi region and surrounding areas.
The museum decided to develop and sell goods to help local residents and tourists feel closer to Kurashiki and Japan Heritage.
Here are all five goods created through a collaboration between the Kurashiki City Japan Heritage Promotion Council and the Kurashiki Archaeological Museum.
| Product | Price (tax included) |
|---|---|
| Archaeological Museum Tenugui | ¥1,800 |
| Special Pedestal Tenugui | ¥1,100 |
| Bizen Ware Special Pedestal (pen holder) | ¥1,800 |
| Smartphone Case (iPhone 6, 6s, 7, SE (2nd generation)) | ¥8,000 |
| Masking Tape | ¥350 |
Archaeological Museum Tenugui
The “Archaeological Museum Tenugui” features a design that symbolizes the streetscape of the Bikan Historical Area.
This tenugui is distinguished by the namako-kabe walls of the Kurashiki Archaeological Museum.
It looks like it could become a classic souvenir, something you can show your family and friends and say, “I went to Kurashiki!”
By the way, did you know that the Kurashiki Archaeological Museum building was not built entirely during the Edo period?
In fact, it was expanded in 1957.
Which part, you ask…
It is the building with the white walls on the right side of the tenugui.
If you look at the roof, can you see the gap between the ceiling and the roof?
This roof is called an “okiyane” (floating roof); it simply sits on top of the reinforced-concrete building.
It has advantages such as providing insulation and helping prevent the underlying structure from deteriorating.
Of course, even the fine details are faithfully reproduced on the tenugui!
It could be fun to compare it with the actual extension.
Special Pedestal Tenugui
The other tenugui is the “Special Pedestal Tenugui.”
Its distinctive feature is the bright, pop-art colors used to depict the special pedestal.
It is so vivid that you can’t help picking it up and wondering, “What is that pattern?”
Look closely and you’ll see pottery shaped like a jar, in addition to the tall, narrow special pedestal.
These items were also excavated from archaeological sites.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when people wash their hands frequently, this could be a handy item to remind you of Kurashiki’s Japan Heritage in everyday life.
Bizen Ware Special Pedestal
As shown in the photo, the “Bizen Ware Special Pedestal” serves as a pen holder.
The fine patterns of the special pedestal appear to be reproduced in even greater detail than on the tenugui.
Its pleasing colors would fit right in on a work desk.
Can you see that the two special pedestals in this photo are slightly different in shape?
Each one is handmade in Bizen ware, so no two have exactly the same shape!
Compare the many “Bizen Ware Special Pedestals” lined up at the Kurashiki Archaeological Museum and see if you can find your favorite shape.
Smartphone Case
The highlight of the goods is this smartphone case!
There are two types: one with a glossy pattern and one without.
Its most striking feature is, of course, the large, eye-catching pattern.
The design is traced from the senmonmonseki stone at the Tatetsuki Site.
The smartphone case features a pattern showing the senmonmonseki stone as seen from above.
The senmonmonseki stone was once enshrined as the sacred object of Tatetsuki Shrine, which stood atop the Tatetsuki Site.
Although it can now be viewed through the window of its storage building, it cannot be seen from above.
When you hold it in your hands, take a look at how the pattern is formed.
The case itself is made from gibier leather.
Compatible only with iPhone 6, 6s, 7, and SE (2nd generation)
The longer you use it, the more character it develops.
All of these are goods available exclusively at the Kurashiki Archaeological Museum, so be sure to visit.
The classic souvenir, masking tape, will also be released soon.
We’re looking forward to seeing what the design will be like.
Next, we interviewed Yuko Ban of the Kurashiki Archaeological Museum, and Yasuyuki Ikeda and Noriyoshi Fujiwara of the Kurashiki City Japan Heritage Promotion Office, about the background to creating the goods and the care taken in their design.
Kurashiki Archaeological Museum Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Information
| Name | Kurashiki Archaeological Museum Public Interest Incorporated Foundation |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-3-13 Chuo, Kurashiki City |
| Contact | 086-422-1542 |
| Parking | None None |
| Opening hours | 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (admission until 4:30 p.m.) |
| Closed | Monday, Tuesday Open on public holidays Closed during the year-end and New Year holidays |
| Admission (tax included) | Adults: ¥500 (groups: ¥400) High school and university students: ¥400 (groups: ¥320) Elementary and junior high school students: ¥300 (groups: ¥240) People with disabilities: ¥240 Preschool children: Free ※Group rates apply to groups of 20 or more ※Admission fees may change for special and temporary exhibitions ※To receive the disability discount, a disability certificate must be presented (applies to the person with a disability and up to one accompanying person) |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Available |
| Smoking | Entire facility is non-smoking |
| Restrooms | Western-style toilets |
| Website | Kurashiki Archaeological Museum |
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