{"id":88213,"date":"2026-09-08T09:48:10","date_gmt":"2026-09-08T09:48:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/88213\/"},"modified":"2026-09-08T09:48:10","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T09:48:10","slug":"accolade-status-for-universitys-japanese-exhibits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/88213\/","title":{"rendered":"Accolade status for university’s Japanese exhibits"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Japanese collections at a university’s oriental museum have been awarded designated collection status by Arts Council England.<\/p>\n

The Durham University items span centuries of Japanese history and culture, from the Muromachi period through to contemporary works.<\/p>\n

Rachel Barclay, the museum’s senior curator, said the accolade was “a wonderful recognition”.<\/p>\n

Shuji Maeda, minister at the Japanese Embassy in London, said the existence of such a “rich” collection outside London was “particularly significant”.<\/p>\n

It is the university’s fifth collection to achieve the status, alongside the Chinese and Egyptian exhibits, Cosin’s Library and the Sudan Archive, both at Palace Green Library.<\/p>\n

Maeda, who has visited the museum twice in the past year, said the recognition was “very well deserved”.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The museum’s Chinese and Egyptian collections also have a designated status [Supplied]<\/p>\n

“This collection brings authentic Japanese culture to people across the UK, including younger generations,” he said.<\/p>\n

“The fact that such a rich Japanese collection is accessible to those who live beyond London is particularly significant and symbolises that strong historical ties are felt across the country.”<\/p>\n

The Japanese collections have more than doubled in size over the past decade and are now among the museum’s fastest expanding collections.<\/p>\n

They include swords and armour, intricately embroidered silk kimono, ceramics, woodblock prints and traditional folk toys.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A monumental bronze Budha head is one of the collection’s oldest objects, dating back to 1185-1333 AD [Supplied]<\/p>\n

“What began as a relatively small collection has grown into one of the museum’s greatest strengths, supporting teaching, research and public engagement while helping us build partnerships across Japan and East Asia,” Barclay said.<\/p>\n

Significant additions include the Hyatt King Collection of Japanese ceramics, donated by David and Anne Hyatt King, and 600 woodblock prints and postcards gifted by Durham University alumnus John P Scott.<\/p>\n

Follow BBC North East on X<\/a>, Facebook<\/a>, Nextdoor<\/a> and Instagram<\/a> and listen on BBC Sounds<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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