Osaka History Museum Hosts Special Exhibition “Treasures of Osaka” from September 13 to October 13, Tracing the City’s History and Culture.
A briefing session for reporters is conducted before the preview.The host takes the stage, and the briefing begins.
A greeting was given, stating, “With the ongoing Osaka-Kansai Expo drawing global attention to Osaka, we hope visitors will experience the city’s robust and deeply rooted history through this exhibition.”
An overview of the exhibition and explanations of the exhibits are provided by the museum’s curators.From here, we are guided to the preview.The special exhibition “Osaka’s Treasures at the Osaka Museum of History” is divided into five themes representing “Osaka’s Power”: “Urban Power,” “Natural Power,” “Artistic Power,” “Citizen Power,” and “Power for the Future.”According to the staff’s explanation, the catchphrases on each exhibit’s caption are uniquely conceived by the curators, so be sure to take a look at those as well!This is a decorative roof tile called “Gold Leaf Paulownia Crest Square Ornamental Tile,” featuring a paulownia crest pattern with applied gold leaf.This is a farm tool called “Kyoya Winnowing Machine,” which uses wind power to separate grain from chaff.This is a craft piece called “Articulated Dragon Ornament,” featuring a dragon with movable joints.This is an astronomical telescope called “Refracting Telescope.”This is a folding screen painting titled “Screen Depicting the Korean Envoy’s Ship Crossing the Yodo River,” illustrating the Korean diplomatic mission crossing the Yodo River during the Edo period.
All of these exhibits represent Osaka’s history and foundations!
What we introduced here is just a small part; there are many other precious exhibits that can only be seen at the Osaka Museum of History.
Why not take this opportunity to explore the city and history of Osaka?
Osaka Museum of History
The Osaka Museum of History opened in 2003 and is located on the site of the former Naniwa Palace, the ancient capital of Japan. Its exhibits chronicle the city’s long history, from its beginnings as a political center to its modern development as a major commercial hub. The museum is renowned for its detailed, large-scale models and reconstructions of historical buildings and cityscapes.
Osaka-Kansai Expo
The Osaka-Kansai Expo, officially known as Expo 2025, is a future world exposition scheduled to be held in Osaka, Japan. It follows the original 1970 Osaka Expo, which was a landmark event showcasing Japan’s post-war economic growth and technological innovation. The upcoming expo aims to address global challenges through the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.”
Gold Leaf Paulownia Crest Square Ornamental Tile
This is a traditional Japanese decorative tile featuring a gold leaf paulownia crest (kiri-mon), a symbol historically associated with the imperial family and the office of the prime minister. These ornamental tiles were used to adorn the exteriors of important buildings, such as castles and temples, signifying prestige and offering protection. Their history reflects the craftsmanship of the Edo period and the cultural importance of heraldic symbols in Japanese architecture.
Kyoya Winnowing Machine
The Kyoya Winewing Machine is a historic, traditional Japanese winnowing basket used for centuries to separate rice grains from their husks. It is a significant artifact representing the agricultural heritage and ingenuity of pre-industrial Japanese farming communities.
Articulated Dragon Ornament
The Articulated Dragon Ornament is a type of intricate Chinese jade carving, historically crafted from a single piece of nephrite jade. These ornate pendants, which feature segmented bodies that allow them to be flexed, were popular during the Warring States period (475–221 BCE) and the Han Dynasty, symbolizing power and nobility.
Refracting Telescope
The refracting telescope is an optical instrument that uses lenses to gather and focus light, invented in the early 17th century by Dutch spectacle maker Hans Lippershey. Its design was famously improved by Galileo Galilei, who used it to make groundbreaking astronomical discoveries that revolutionized our understanding of the cosmos.
Screen Depicting the Korean Envoy’s Ship Crossing the Yodo River
This folding screen depicts a 1607 Korean diplomatic mission to Japan, commemorating the peaceful cultural exchanges following the Japanese invasions of Korea. It shows the Korean envoys’ ship traveling on the Yodo River, a key waterway leading to Edo (modern-day Tokyo). The artwork is a significant historical record of 17th-century diplomacy and is valued for its detailed portrayal of cross-cultural interaction.
Yodo River
The Yodo River is a major waterway in Japan, formed by the confluence of the Uji and Katsura rivers near Kyoto. Historically, it served as a vital transport and trade route, connecting the ancient capital to Osaka Bay. Its banks were also the site of significant historical events, including the famous Battle of Yodogawa during the Sengoku period.
