From Ancient Orient to Iwami Ginzan - The World Moved by Silver -

The Ancient Orient Museum (Director: Makiko Tsuji) located at Sunshine City (Ikebukuro, Tokyo) will hold an autumn special exhibition titled "From the Ancient Orient to Iwami Ginzan - The World Moved by Silver -" from September 19 (Saturday) to December 6 (Sunday). Human history has been greatly influenced by encounters with metals. Gold and silver have fascinated people with their beauty and shine, and eventually became symbols of wealth and power. Meanwhile, copper and iron supported the development of civilization as tools and weapons. Among them, silver developed from a material for measuring value to coins, and in various forms, it connected distant regions. During the Age of Exploration, silver became an indispensable element in economic activities. Iwami Ginzan in Oda City, Shimane Prefecture, was a major producer of silver during that time. In 2027, Iwami Ginzan will mark the significant milestone of its 500th anniversary of discovery and 20th anniversary of World Heritage listing. This exhibition is part of the commemorative events held in three locations: Tokyo, Izumo (Shimane), and Oda (Shimane). Through artifacts from the Ancient Orient, silver vessels, diverse coins, and materials related to Iwami Ginzan, this exhibition traces the history of how silver connected people and the world. This is an opportunity to experience the charm and history of Iwami Ginzan in Tokyo for the first time. - You can download the PDF of this press release here d20364-1146-eabfa7036a97a00736709b93970ea49b.pdf Exhibition Summary Date: September 19 (Saturday) - December 6 (Sunday) 10:00 - 17:00 (Last admission at 16:30) * Open until 20:00 on October 18 (Sunday) and November 20 (Friday) (Last admission at 19:30) Admission Fee: General 1,500 yen, High school and university students 1,000 yen, Middle and elementary school students 400 yen. * Group discounts and discounts for people with disabilities available. Co-organized by the Ancient Orient Museum and the Shimane Prefecture 500th Anniversary of Iwami Ginzan Commemoration Committee. Supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Agency for Cultural Affairs, Tama Ward, and Tama Ward Education Committee. Special Support: Sunshine City. Event Web Page. Comments from the organizers. Director of the Ancient Orient Museum, Makiko Tsuji. "From the Ancient Orient to Iwami Ginzan" as the title suggests, the first half of the exhibition traces the human encounter with metals, introducing the roles of gold, silver, copper, and iron. It highlights the beautiful silver artifacts from the Ancient Orient and the Silk Road, as well as silver coins from Greece, Persia, and Rome, illustrating the charm of silver and its historical role in moving the world. The second half focuses on Iwami Ginzan. By understanding the history of silver, its historical significance becomes clear. This is a special exhibition that can be enjoyed from various perspectives, such as being a silver lover, history lover, coin lover, or art and craftsmanship lover, and it offers new discoveries. Cultural Heritage Division, Shimane Prefectural Government. Atsushi Taba. Next year, 2027, marks the 500th anniversary of the discovery of Iwami Ginzan and the 20th anniversary of its World Heritage listing. This special exhibition introduces Iwami Ginzan, which produced large amounts of silver and had a significant impact on the economy and culture of the world. This is the first time that a comprehensive collection of materials related to Iwami Ginzan will be displayed in Tokyo, so please come and see it. Exhibition Content Chapter 1: Human and Metal Encounters Introduces the process of humans encountering and utilizing metals (gold, silver, copper, iron) and their respective roles. Gold Ornaments (Private Collection) Demonstrates the advanced goldsmithing techniques of the time and the authority of the rulers. Chapter 2: The Form of Silver Introduces the development of technology that enabled the use of silver's beauty and shine in ornaments, containers, and deities. Nefertem Amulet (MIHO MUSEUM Collection) A statue of the Egyptian god Nefertem. Chapter 3: Silver as Currency Introduces the role of silver as a material for value, the birth of coins, and its role in supporting trade, moving economies, and cultures. The history of coins, silver coins from Greece, Rome, Persia, and the Silk Road, as well as research related to coins. Cleopatra VII Silver Coin (Ancient Orient Museum Collection) A silver coin depicting Queen Cleopatra VII of ancient Egypt and her husband and political ally, the Roman general Mark Antony, on either side. Chapter 4: The Age of Silver - Age of Exploration - Introduces the role of silver during the Age of Exploration, when global trade began, and the changes in culture. Globe (Nanban Culture Museum Collection) A globe finished with lacquer. Tessera Map (Iwami Ginzan Nakamura Library Collection) A map created in Europe in the late 16th century. It shows that Iwami Ginzan was known as far as Europe. Chapter 5: Iwami Ginzan Introduces Iwami Ginzan, which played a major role during the age of silver, from the perspective of silver production and the mining society. Iwami Ginzan Silver (Iwami Ginzan Nakamura Library Collection) Three items, including Bunki Iwami Ginzan Silver, Bunki Iwami Ginzan Silver, and Official Use Iwami Ginzan Silver, are believed to have been made from Iwami Ginzan silver and are related to Mori Motonari and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Iwami Ginzan Mining Workers Scroll (Iwami Ginzan Nakamura Library Collection) One of the Iwami Ginzan scrolls. It vividly depicts the mining activities with colorful illustrations. In Conclusion Displays the Iwami Ginzan-related items, such as the Hagi Bunkin Silver and the World Heritage Listing Certification, related to the World Heritage Listing of Iwami Ginzan. There is also an information and experience corner for Iwami Ginzan. Audio Guide/Goods The audio guide for the special exhibition is provided by the official audio guide of the Ancient Orient Museum, "The Beginning of the Story," "Recitation of the Epic of Gilgamesh," and "Recitation of the Enuma Elish," which are familiar to visitors of the museum, with voice actor Tomoaki Kageyama.