Japan

• The Japanese islands have been inhabited for more than 30,000 years. 
   
• The world's first ceramics were made in Japan some 17,000 years ago by the Jōmon people, who lived in what is now northern Japan. 
   
• Before the invention of ceramics, people stored their food in holes in the ground or in baskets, which were vulnerable to insects, animals and the weather.  
   
• In 1639, Japan closed off almost all contact with the rest of the world. The Shoguns, who ruled Japan at the time, did this in the belief it would strengthen their control of the country. 
   
• Japan remained relatively isolated from the world until 1853, when US Commodore Matthew Perry arrived with a fleet in Tokyo bay and demanded that Japan begin to trade with the US. 

• Some objects in this collection feature on the British Sign Language multimedia guide. This resource is temporarily unavailable. You can access a selection of BSL films on your own device.
• Some objects in this collection feature on the audio description guide, available on Soundcloud.
• Seating is available.
• View sensory map.

Visit  Accessibility at the Museum for more information.

Sponsored by

Mitsubishi Corporation’s origins lie in the Three Corporate Principles, which have constituted its corporate philosophy since its foundation. The first of these principles states that the company will strive to enrich society, and Mitsubishi Corporation hopes to contribute towards enhancing the long-running friendly relations between the United Kingdom and Japan, as well as to support the proliferation of Japanese culture abroad. 

Mitsubishi Corporation’s partnership with the British Museum began in 2008 with the support of the Japanese Galleries, one of the most prestigious displays of Japanese art and artefacts outside of Japan. During this time, the company has also supported the Mitsubishi Corporation Project Curator position, a curatorial post within the Japanese Section with the responsibility for delivering the Museum’s Japanese public programme and for working with external Japan-related organisations.

Additional support has included the sponsorship of The power of dogū: ceramic figures from ancient Japan special exhibition in 2009 as well as the Hokusai: beyond the Great Wave special exhibition in 2017. Mitsubishi Corporation also contributed towards the acquisition of the ‘Perry Scroll’, a beautifully preserved 15 metre handscroll commemorating the second visit of US Commodore Matthew Perry to Japan in 1854.