National Museum of Japanese History

I joined my samurai class to visit the National Museum of Japanese History, a bit far from where we usually live, but it was an interesting trip. I think what I enjoyed the most was the miniature models of villages and towns that they had on display. Such amazing detail in them. I felt like I had time traveled and was looking down on a frozen past of real people with real lives, just suspended in time.

Now that I am done being poetic, here are the pictures I took. Because most of the plaques were in Japanese only, I am not able to tell you much about them, but some are really interesting to look at. So today's entry will be more of a photo blog, except a few other things I wanted to mention.

First, today was a day of mistaken identity. Actually, most days are, but today was more noticeably so for some reason. What I mean is that most Japanese people assume I am also Japanese, and it can make for an awkward conversation. My first one was at the museum as we entered into the first gallery. I didn't see any signs about cameras but some museums don't allow them, so I asked.

(All in Japanese)

Me: Excuse me, are pictures ok?

Museum lady: Yes, but no flash. *starts saying something very long and way too fast and fluent for me to understand*

Me: *pause* So...flash is bad?

Museum lady: Yes, flash is bad.

Me: Understood. Thank you.

I assumed that she meant that not all sections allowed photography, and I think that must have been a good guess because I did happen upon areas that prohibited photography altogether. And they had people just standing there watching...everywhere...it was a little uncomfortable.

These relief maps are on the wall, and reach the ceiling.

My first thought is of how beautiful the robes are. My second is of how hot it must be under all those layers.

I asked Lindsey to pose for me in the picture so you can see how big the model of the boat is.

There was this large cylindrical contraption made out of metal, with holes like this one where you could watch a small show about the story of this demon and some other people. I didn't stay long enough to find out.

If you think this puppet head is creepy, check out the video link below.

The next set of pictures were taken at another gallery, displaying Meiji era stuff, when Japan starts to modernize after opening up to Western influence. You can see it creeping into Japanese clothing and architecture.

Mistaken identity part 2. As we were exiting the museum, there was a man standing at the door to thank us for coming and say goodbye.

Ramsey walks through before me.
Museum guy says thank you in English.
I walk through next.
Museum guy says thank you in Japanese.
Next student behind me walks through.
Museum guy says thank you in English.

This wasn't really that awkward, but it was amusing.

A random kitty hanging out outside the museum.

Kitty: "OMG RUN IT'S A GAIJIN!" (foreigner)

Thus ends our museum adventure. But it's not quite over yet!

Mistaken identity part 3. I am at the station where I need to transfer to the last line that will take me back to the dorm. There are four different platforms that my train could potentially stop at, so I am looking at the sign to see which one arrives first. As I look, a Japanese woman comes up to me while looking at the same sign.

(All in Japanese.)

Japanese woman: Excuse me, do you know which platform the Touzai line stops at?

Me: Yes, both of the platforms here, but--

Japanese woman: *looks up at me for the first time, seeming to realize I am not Japanese* Oh, I understand, thank you! *walks to another Japanese woman* Excuse me, do you know which platform the Touzai line stops at?

-_-

No matter. I am now in my room, getting excited about Tokyo Disney Sea tomorrow! Whoo!