SHIMANE MUSUEM OF ANCIENT IZUMO
Agency for Cultural Affairs
The Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo preserves and displays an extensive collection of artifacts related to the history of Shimane Prefecture—particularly the region known as Izumo. Often called the “land of the gods,” Izumo is one of three former provinces that make up modern Shimane. Izumo features prominently in some of Japan’s earliest written chronicles, and the region holds considerable significance in the mythology and early political history of Japan.
Three themed exhibitions explore the spiritual traditions and culture of ancient Izumo. The first exhibit focuses on Izumo Grand Shrine, just west of the museum. Together with Ise Grand Shrine, Izumo Grand Shrine is one of the two most prominent Shinto shrines in Japan. It is said that early versions of the shrine’s main sanctuary (honden) may have reached 48 meters in height, and the various models displayed in the gallery represent attempts by architects to reconstruct the appearance of this structure. The museum’s second themed exhibit recreates daily life in ancient Izumo through the lens of an eighth-century text called the Izumo no kuni fudoki (Gazetteer of Izumo Province). The third exhibit displays a massive trove of bronze swords and bells dating from the Yayoi period (800 BCE–300 CE). Unearthed at two archaeological sites in the Izumo area, many of these artifacts have been designated National Treasures. (The English-language text was created by the Japanese Tourism Agency)
・Exhibits feature audio, text, and photo explanations in English, Korean, and Chinese (Traditional and Simplified). Electronic guide devices are available for rental.
・The museum's guide is also accessible through a dedicated app.
・Video exhibits feature English, Korean, and Chinese (Traditional and Simplified) explanations.
Main works
National Treasure: Bronze implements unearthed from the Kojin-dani site
In 1984 and 1985, archaeological excavations unearthed 358 swords, 16 spearheads, and 6 bells from the Kōjindani site in Izumo.
It is assumed that the bronze swords (doken) were about 50 centimeters long and weighed 800 grams when they were made. None of them have sharp blades, so it is quite impossible to use them as weapons. This style of sword is found only in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions. They are believed to have been made in Izumo and so they are referred to as Izumo doken.
Regarding bells (dotaku), the scuffing inside these bells suggest they actually used to be rung. Dotaku made from the same mold were discovered in Kyoto and Tokushima Prefectures.
The exhibit hall displays both the originals and a gleaming wall of replicas that shows how brilliantly the blades would have shone at the time they were buried.
Agency for Cultural Affairs
Important Cultural Property: A sword with a circular handle with the design of twin dragons
This sword was excavated in 1925 from a cave-like tomb by archeology enthusiasts living in Yasugi city, which is located in the eastern part of Shimane Prefecture.
The hilt has the design of two dragons face to face biting a ball.
It is pretty rare to find something in such a remarkable state of preservation. Most of the wooden part of the scabbard and the handle retains its original form without having decayed. Also, the sword blade itself has lost none of its ancient luster.
SHIMANE MUSUEM OF ANCIENT IZUMO
- National Treasure: Bronze bells from the Kamo-Iwakura site
- Important Cultural Property: Triangular-rimmed bronze mirror inscribed with the date A.D. 239, unearthed from the Kambara-jinja Mounded Tomb
- Comma-shaped beads (magatama) and cylindrical beads unearthed from the Ueno Mounded Tomb no.1
- Seated male deity unearthed from the Aoki site
- Jar decorated with small jars
- Izumo fudoki, an ancient record of the culture and geography of Izumo province, copied in 17th century
- Woodblock print: Sumo-wrestler, Raiden
- Woodblock print: Susanowo slaying the eight-headed dragon-like serpent
