Humans and Boats: Maritime Life in Asia and Oceania

Finished

The emergence of boats and canoes in human history are said to have begun after the appearance of Homo sapiens. This special exhibition introduces a wide variety of boat collections mainly from the Maritime Asia and Oceania as well as Indian Ocean and Northern Pacific in our museum.

The first-floor exhibition, which focuses on our boat collections, begins with the question: What was the first type of boats that humans built and used? It showcases boats made from diverse buoyant materials such as bark, grass, animal skins, and logs that have continued to be used up to the present day. In addition, the exhibition highlights ancient Japanese boats through haniwa figures and excavated wooden planks, alongside an impressive lineup of vessels designed and used by people who expanded into the North and South Pacific regions.

Schedule

Sep 4 (Thu) 2025-Dec 9 (Tue) 2025