A visit to the "Modern Images of Ancient Clay figures" museum

Extract

[...] A visit to the "Modern Images of Ancient Clay figures" museum "Modern Images of Ancient Clay figures" is a very entertaining exhibition that is located in the National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo. It focuses on the ancient artifacts of Haniwa and Dogu, which are earth figurines excavated from graves and strata. They were once seen mainly as archaeological finds, but they have now become iconic symbols in Japanese culture. Indeed, their influence stretches across art, literature, film, and even education, thanks to some antiquarians and artists who redefined their meaning and value after World War II, turning them from nationalistic figures into celebrated cultural art pieces that now have an important place in society and pop culture. [...]

[...] It is organized in 3 different parts. The first part is entitled "Earthing Japan - Mythology and War" and explores how Dogu and Haniwa figures were viewed before and during World War II. Initially admired by antiquarians and modernist artists as mythological and archaeological objects, these figures were later used by nationalist and abstract painters to symbolize loyalty, heroism, and fearlessness, embodying ideal imperial soldiers. The second section, "Unearthing Tradition - Jomon Period vs Yayoi Period," examines how Haniwa figures were reinterpreted in the postwar era, linking past and present. [...]

[...] This led to a feeling of nostalgia and a specific connection to the soil, which holds Japan's hidden and often forgotten cultural heritage. The documentation on display was mainly visual, including paintings, statues, books, posters, magazines, mangas, toys, and film excerpts shown on small TVs. However, I felt like it lacked interactivity, as well as audio documentation. Information was provided through panels (mostly in Japanese, with some English translations) and two pamphlets, one listing artworks and the other, more detailed, but being entirely in Japanese. [...]

[...] Similar to the Daigo Fukuryu Maru, these historical figures have been reappropriated by pop culture and transformed into items of consumerism and entertainment, particularly for children. Why didn't the exhibition explore this issue in greater depth? The exhibition serves as a cultural bridge, connecting Japan's ancient past with its modern identity. By focusing on the evolution of Haniwa and Dogu figures, it highlights how these artifacts, once central to ancient rituals and mythology, have been reinterpreted throughout history to reflect changing cultural, political, and social contexts. [...]

[...] The exhibit explored these seemingly ordinary figures and used art to show how their meaning has evolved over time. One part of the exhibit also focused on the touristification of the country and the impact of urbanization on preserving cultural heritage, which was very interesting. Basically, in the 1950s and 1960s, archeological sites were often discovered during the building of new infrastructures. However, the majority of them were quickly studied and then buried under cement, in the rush of industrialization and modernization. [...]