Introduction: A building is not only an enclosed space composing various structural elements but also showcases a sense of emotions and a series of memories inbuilt. There we can say Museums are the true definition of a particular space where people feel more lively and go through distinct phases to which they are oblivious.
“A place where one can sense tranquillity,
Antiques are showcasing their morality.”
Showa Sekkei designed an archaeology museum for the prefecture of Hyogo that opened in 2007. The Hyogo prefecture is a governed city in japan that symbolises ancient aspects of the governers rule throughout the timeline.
The museum exhibits the ruins, relics, and remains from the ancient years. Various paintings and real-life models convey the importance of the ancient culture of the Hyogo prefecture to the people.
What does Hyogo Prefecture depict?
Hyogo is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan spread across an area of 8400 sq. km. With a population of over 5 million, Hyogo is a hub of economic center, transportation, and tourist destination. 20% of the region is devoted to numerous galleries and museums that exhibit history through art to connect more and more people with ancient culture.
The Interrelation between Past and future.
The name in its own explains the purpose of an archaeology museum. On that account, it is clear that the museum exhibits past remains of the city. Thus the museum is situated in one of the substantial neighbourhoods, illustrating that crowds of the modern age are calloused to stroll over the museum.
The sole purpose of this museum evokes all generations to pay a visit once in their life. It differs from typical museums where only artefacts or literacy form exhibits on framed walls. To make it interesting for visitors, it composes various live activities. The concept of a museum indicates the involvement of spectators from old age to children. The most unusual thing about the museum is that it doesn’t create any buzz about silence. It seems different to believe the sections of the museum are formed in such a manner that it appears more lively and establishes an atmosphere for youngsters to stroll carefree.
An experimental Museum.
The museum is structured appropriately to show the smooth flow through the placement of exhibition areas and the exterior of the building. The concept of the museum is not only to exhibit art but to involve people through various experimental activities. The director feels that a space utilized by people is considered to be more efficient when they get involved and experience the moments of the past by performing its replica. It includes various fun-filled activities such as – hands-on excavation, mystery doors and drawers, and an area where you can dress up as a person from ancient times. And when you see our powerful life-sized dioramas of Paleolithic people hunting Naumann elephants, royal tombs that housed enormous sarcophagi, marine trade with China and more, you can discover the ancient world of Hyogo as if travelling in a time machine. Hands-on experiences, such as making magatama (ancient comma-shaped beads) and making fire the ancient way, are offered on a daily basis under the kind guidance of volunteers, and various experiential programs and events are held throughout the year.
As per the design aspects, the exterior of the building was kept simple to coordinate with the surroundings. The facade of the museums used neutral colors such as grey, white and natural materials colors to depict the traditional architecture of japan.
The central gallery part of the building had a roof made of earth-tone slats and was used to assemble the roofs of traditional houses. The green grass on the terrace of the building promotes sustainable design.
Exhibit Areas
The entrance gallery has a collection of pottery preserved from the ancient soil layer of the district. Natural light can reach the artefacts through the sunken louvres over the roof of the entrance gallery. The stucco textured walls and brick flooring in earth-tone colours gives a more aesthetic vibe correlating ancient huts.
Hands-on gallery discovery room
As it is an archaeology museum, it makes evident that the items exhibited must be preserved by excavating grounds. To provide a live experience of excavating ruins, the room with activities consisting excavation process is one of the interesting features.
Thematic exhibition hall
The live actual size models from the past are replicated to give a more intense insight into ancient times. The exhibition hall provides four types of themes: people, environment, society, and interaction. This hall exhibits the replicated figures of people during wars, elements of nature, and weapons buried under ancient ground.
The exhibit spaces in this hall are bound by thread elements. The lighting in this hall is designed in such a way that is enough to illuminate the grief that the ancient people went through.
This exhibit conveys the magnitude of the power of Kofun Period kings with a reconstructed model of the stone chamber at Kumobe Kurumazuka Kofun (Tumulus), a royal tomb in Tamba, Hyogo.
This hall exhibits the restored model of ancient ships to showcase the interweaving flow of people and things between Hyogo and ancient continents.
Exhibits from the collection
This area is located on the backyard deck of the building in such a way that, it symbolises the actual aspect of the museum- ‘to roam and to explore.’
The artefacts, ruins, and pottery items are displayed in large box-type wooden elements in the exhibit hall.
Outdoor Exhibition
Another interesting aspect of this museum is the outdoor exhibit to mark the existence of ancient ruins. The museum has reconstructed the dwelling pits from the ancient ruins of Onaka village, that was declared a national heritage site in 1967. The dwelling pit was constructed with the help of local skilled labour who were aware of ancient techniques and opened to people as an exhibit space. The use of local materials and surrounding green spaces beautifies the traditional aura of dwelling pits.
References –
The museum’s collection (no date) The Museum’s Collection | Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Archaeology. Available at: https://www.hyogo-koukohaku.jp/lang/en/collection.html (Accessed: December 18, 2022).
