Agency for Cultural Affairs press release (2024.11.13) Agency for Cultural Affairs [National Museum of Nature and Science] Announcement of special exhibition “Shellfish Exhibition: Why are people fascinated by shellfish” The National Museum of Nature and Science (Director: Kenichi Shinoda) will hold the following special exhibitions from November 26, 2024 (Reiwa 6) to March 2, 2025 (Sun). “Shellfish Exhibition: Why are people fascinated by shellfish?” will be held. [Detailed URL:
https://www.kahaku.go.jp/event/2024/11shells/ ]
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Special Exhibition “Shellfish Exhibition: Why are people fascinated by shellfish” Poster Shellfish have supported human life not only as food, but also as materials for decorative items. Even today, it continues to color people’s lives and culture in various ways. The biological characteristics and diversity of shellfish have fascinated us since ancient times. This exhibition will introduce the deep essence of the shell world. Event overview Special exhibition “Shellfish Exhibition: Why are people fascinated by shellfish” [Venue] National Museum of Nature and Science (Ueno Park, Tokyo) Japan Pavilion 1st floor special exhibition room and central hall [Holding period] November 26, 2024 (Reiwa 6) (Tuesday) to March 2, 2025 (Reiwa 7) (Sunday) [Opening hours] 9:00 – 17:00*Admission is allowed until 30 minutes before closing time [Closed on Sundays] Mondays (Tuesday if Monday is a holiday), December 28th (Saturday) – January 1st (Wednesday/Holiday)
*However, it will be open on Monday, December 23rd and Monday, February 17th. [Admission fee] Adults/University students: 630 yen (Groups 510 yen), High school students and under and 65 years and over: Free
*This exhibition can only be viewed with a permanent exhibition admission fee.*Groups of 20 or more people *Please see our website for details on how to enter.
https://www.kahaku.go.jp/ [Main organized by] National Museum of Nature and Science [Kyo Riki] Dr. Naotada Akahoshi Cultural Properties Museum, Urakawa Local Museum, Kagoshima Prefectural Buried Cultural Properties Center,
Kishiwada Nature Museum, University of Tokyo Museum, Toba City Sea Museum, Toyohashi City Museum of Natural History,
Hagi Museum, Meguro Parasitological Museum, Yokosuka City Museum of Nature and Humanities Exhibition introduction Introduction The world of shellfish Shellfish generally refers to molluscs, which are a group of invertebrates, that have shells made of calcium carbonate, but in a broader sense it also includes those that do not have shells. How did the shellfish that flourish on earth originate and develop? Is it? Here, we will first look at the evolutionary path of shellfish, and also introduce their amazing size diversity.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/47048/874/47048-874-c183d61a026fcaeec775fa67efebcc8b-3200×1400.jpg Waterwadachi (Collection: National Museum of Nature and Science)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/47048/874/47048-874-c56f17bd20cd4dfae832015d8891ac23-1178×1118.jpg Pelecyogyra fezouataensis (Collection: National Museum of Nature and Science) Chapter 1 The origins of shellfish diversity It is said that there are more than 100,000 species of molluscs on earth, and they are extremely diverse not only in the general structure of their bodies, but also in various aspects such as their habitat, ecology, and the shape of their shells. Masu. Some shellfish have evolved to lose their shells. Here, we will first give an overview of molluscs, and then look at diversity and its causes from various angles.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/47048/874/47048-874-20d14d564511ad4ef9158093aea7631b-3900×2600.jpg Meotoyadrina (Photo: National Museum of Nature and Science)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/47048/874/47048-874-b61b3d66a05af762a70f23f36ef9f8dc-1222×817.jpg Maboroshi clam (Image: National Museum of Nature and Science)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/47048/874/47048-874-9170cc7864320c8d97eac34f5567c580-1257×1022.jpg Harina Garinbou (Image: National Museum of Nature and Science) Chapter 2 The long relationship between humans and shellfish – from prehistoric times to modern times The relationship between humans and shellfish has continued from prehistoric times to the present day. During times when food was scarce, shellfish provided a stable source of food to support human life. On the other hand, shells have also been used as materials for tools, ornaments, etc. Furthermore, it has become more than just a natural product, as it has become involved in rituals, games, and other cultural activities.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/47048/874/47048-874-1523bf8466ad43781af810b764538cac-711×718.png Gohoura (Collection: National Museum of Nature and Science)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/47048/874/47048-874-b7cfbd29e80d73d417f429cb01f383e2-3900×2596.jpg Clam (Clam) (Collection: National Museum of Nature and Science) Chapter 3 The deep relationship between humans and shellfish – People fascinated by shellfish The ultimate relationship between humans and shellfish in modern times can be said to be the collection of shells. Shellfish, which are easy to specimen and can be preserved for many years, have attracted many people as representative biological collections. There are many ways to get involved, such as aiming to collect all the species from a certain region or focusing on a particular taxonomic group.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/47048/874/47048-874-246575888a0566c6e5c1c8bc4e719a62-798×1764.jpg Adanson okinaebis (Image: National Museum of Nature and Science) Chapter 4 To continue to be involved with shellfish for a long time Humans and shellfish have had a long and deep relationship. And now, the situation is changing dramatically. Shellfish, which have developed robustly around the world, are also being affected by recent environmental changes and global changes. We are also seeing changes in our relationships with people, including food. Here, we take stock of the current situation and reflect on the future.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/47048/874/47048-874-3f6dfdfeb6b3363dde169da09f7d7fb0-2088×1494.jpg Masuho’s small shell (Plover masuo) (Photo: National Museum of Nature and Science) Exhibition supervisor
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/47048/874/47048-874-9c48bd4baaf197fe685090cb71cff244-3900×3900.jpg Researcher, Marine Invertebrate Research Group, Animal Research Department Kazunori Hasegawa His specialty is the taxonomy of gastropods (snails). Ever since I can remember, shellfish have had a big place in my heart. The starting point of this exhibition is to take a fresh look at its charm. While the appeal of shellfish as a research subject and food ingredient is easy to understand, it is still difficult to explain the sense of happiness that comes from admiring a shellfish in the palm of your hand. The mystery of why the products of adaptive evolution in living organisms are so captivating is becoming ever deeper.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/47048/874/47048-874-5b4c4226ceb7aca9f31da0506e63452b-1923×1923.jpg Research Director, Environmental Change History Research Group, Department of Earth Science Takuma Haga His specialty is evolutionary paleontology using shellfish and molluscology. Why am I fascinated by it? Even after 38 years of shellfish experience, I still don’t understand. If I had to guess, I’d say the variety of shapes is beyond imagination. When I see a shellfish, my hand moves out as a spinal reflex, and in my dreams I collect the “gorgeous dream shells.” However, the ones that really fascinate me are Chishimagai and Ijikegai. It seems that the answer you are looking for lies in that indescribable shape.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/47048/874/47048-874-ce9710dafe3325f929effb6446791b14-3900×3900.jpg Researcher, Human History Research Group, Human Research Department Wataru Morita His specialty is dental anthropology. One of the great attractions of shellfish for anthropology researchers is that they protect valuable ancient human remains, such as those of the Jomon people, from Japan’s acidic soil. Although the Jomon people may not have expected their images and lives to be passed down to their descendants like a time capsule, they were fascinated by shellfish to the extent that they wished to be buried surrounded by shellfish after death. I imagine that it was.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/47048/874/47048-874-26b473a883862933bd11fc65248b54e3-903×903.jpg Animal Research Department Marine Invertebrate Research Group Group Leader Hiroshi Saito His specialty is the taxonomy of molluscs (mainly squamates). When I was a child, I remember seeing turban shells and abalone shells, exposed to the wind and rain, placed on a flower shelf in a nearby alley. I am basing this on my own experience, but when I think about the fact that I remember the shells of such common shells and their lack of color, I think that the biggest factor that fascinates people is their shape. Masu.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/47048/874/47048-874-bb68683f068b536f3f7f943ad32a5d1b-890×890.jpg Group Leader, Environmental Change History Research Group, Department of Earth Science Yasunari Shigeta His specialty is ammonite studies. When you hit the strata with a hammer in the midst of nature, an ammonite with a beautiful spiral appears. The moment you open the time capsule. There are also ammonites that shine in rainbow colors. I can’t help but feel the excitement of wondering what the long-extinct ammonites can tell me.
