Digital exhibitions present materials selected from the collection of the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History, with a focus on a particular theme. Like shows in the museum itself, these broadly thematically organized digital exhibitions convey the significance and appeal of items in the collection in a multifaceted and enjoyable manner. Through this approach, we hope to reach viewers of all ages, and provide young and old alike with content that makes history and culture accessible and fun.
Tales that can be enjoyed together with pictures have been cherished since the ancient times in Japan, in the form of picture scrolls and illustrated booklets. In addition to imperial stories and stories of miracles by deities and Buddhas, illustrated tales that are written in a lively way on a variety of topics, from the activities of samurai warriors, to the success and failure of commoners, as well as the prevalence of animals and monsters, were created in the medieval era. These tales are introduced here in a fun way, through visual explanations featuring original picture scrolls made up of Otogi zoshi (short-prose narrative) and old tales that you are familiar with, as well as plenty of photos of the materials in our collection.
(created in fiscal 2015)
In the Middle Ages, Japanese people seeking salvation in Buddhism believed in a cycle of reincarnation through six realms of existence. Understanding this Buddhist worldview, with its deep roots in Japanese culture, enables viewers to appreciate familiar Buddhist statues and paintings more deeply. Accompanied by an easy and entertaining picture book-style story and explanations that unravel the iconography in Buddhist art from the museum collection, this digital exhibition beckons viewers into the inner psychological world of medieval Japan.
(created in fiscal 2014)