The Niigata Prefectural Museum of History
This museum uniquely combines the characteristics of a history and folklore museum providing a comprehensive introduction to the history and customs of Niigata Prefecture and a museum dedicated to the extensive study and introduction of Jomon culture from a national and global perspective. The permanent exhibition consists of five sections: "Course of Niigata’s History," "Life in a Snowy Land," and "Making Rice," which showcase the history and culture of Niigata Prefecture, and "The World of the Jomon" and "Search For The Jomon Culture," dedicated to the prehistoric Jomon period. Life-size dioramas reconstruct the covered walkways called gangi-dori from a snowy street of the 1950s and life of the Jomon people throughout the four seasons, allowing visitors to feel as if they have travelled back in time. Various themed exhibitions are also regularly held.
・Audio guides (Japanese, English, Chinese, Russian, and Korean) are available for free rental. The duration of the commentary is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. If you wish to use them, please inquire at the reception desk of the Permanent Exhibition.
・Hands-on programs are held every Sunday from 13:30 to 15:30.
Visitors can experience themes and materials related to the exhibitions while having fun. On-site registration and admission fee to the permanent exhibition are required.
*The program content changes periodically.
Main works
This armor is told to have been used by Uesugi Kagekatsu, who succeeded one of the famous warload, Uesugi Kenshin. Inscribed on the inside of the helmet is the date "An auspicious day in August, 6th year of the Eiroku era (1563)." At that time, Kagekatsu was only 8 years old, so the armor is believed to have been made during Uesugi Kenshin's time. Attached to the front of the helmet under the manji (swastika) symbol is a large maedate crest carved in the shape of a boar, an animal associated with the Buddhist deity Marishiten. (Exhibited irregularly)
The only Jomon pottery designated as a national treasure is a group of flame-style pottery excavated from the Sasayama Site in Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture. The vessel on display shows the typical features of flame-style pottery, although its exact place of excavation is unknown. It features a widely undulated rim protruding in ribbon-like shapes, without the characteristic "cockscomb" protrusions of the flame-style pottery. This particular type of vessel is known as "crown-shaped pottery" because of its silhouette resembling a king's crown. The surface is decorated with the swirling raised lines common to flame-style pottery. (Exhibited irregularly)
- Late Paleolithic Microlith Stone Tools excavated from the Araya Site in Nagaoka City / Hoshino Yoji Collection
- Blood Oath Document by Uesugi Kenshin (Terutora)
- Illustrated Scroll of Gold and Silver Mining in Sado Province
- Snowshoe Collection （Prefectural Designated cultural property）
