2000 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary
Ethnological Exhibits in Natural History Museums
| Project/Area Number |
09610322
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Section | 一般 |
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| Research Field |
文化人類学(含民族学・民俗学)
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| Research Institution | Historical Museum of Hokkaido |
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Principal Investigator |
DERIHA Koji Historical Museum of Hokkaido, Exhibit Division, Curalor of Ethnology, 事業部, 展示課長 (40142088)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
SASAKI Toru Hokkaido University, Graduate School of Letters, Associate Professor, 大学院・文学研究科, 助教授 (80292308)
YAMADA Shin'ich Historical Museum of Hokkaido, Exhibit Division, Curator of Hokkaido History, 事業部・学芸員 (30291909)
TEZUKA Kaoru Historical Museum of Hokkaido, Material Management Division, Curator of Ethnology, 事業部・学芸員 (40222145)
YAGUCHI Yujin University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Center for Pacific and American Studies, Associate Professor, 大学院・総合文化研究科, 助教授 (00271700)
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| Project Period (FY) |
1997 – 2000
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| Keywords | Ethnological Information / Communication / Museum / Exhibition / Ainu Culture / Museum Collection / Image / Exhibit Evaluation |
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| Research Abstract |
This research focused on the ways in which museums communicated ethnological information to the public. By doing so, it aimed to investigate the significance of the museums as an "ethnological communication tool" so as to explore better ways of defining their function in the society in the future. In particular, the research paid attention to the representation of "Ainu" culture.
The research focused primarily on four issues--formation of Ainu collections by professional curators ; exhibition of Ainu culture and history done by professional curators ; educational programs that target elementary school students ; programs that promote exhibitions.
The focus on collections was achieved by comparing and contrasting the museum's collection with that of others abroad. The issue of exhibition was investigated by exploring how the visitors to our museum understood the exhibits. As for the promotional programs, we analyzed posters that were used in the past and investigated the ethnological understandings and views that were reflected in their designs. We also reviewed how the Ainu culture was exhibited abroad and compared it with domestic exhibits. Finally, we made an educational program to teach elementary school children the significance of Ainu traps.
Ethnological materials do not come into existence in vacuum. Rather curators play an active role in their collection and exhibition. In that sense, curators' views are meaningful and important. At the same time, we confirmed that the exhibits do not necessarily communicate the curator's messages to viewers. In addition, we found out that ethnological information communicated through other means such as posters also plays a significant role.
We hope to continue our research further by incorporationg the methods of museum reviews in the future. By doing so, not only do we wish to evaluate exhibits in a more objective manner, but also we hope to find ways to change the contents of our exhibits in a more effective way.
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