ニッポン貝人列伝 -時代をつくった貝コレクション-
Kaijin - Shell Men

南からの黒潮と北からの親潮によって世界的にも豊かな貝分布がみられる日本。本展は、この貝大国で近代貝類学の黎明期を築いた伝説の貝人たちの列伝とともに、彼らの熱意と情熱の結晶である貝コレクションおよび周辺資料の約240点から、新たな貝の世界の魅力に迫ります。

Kaijin―Shell Men：Japanese Conchologists whose Shell Collections Launched an Epoch

Osaka: 8 December 2017 – 20 February 2018
Tokyo: 8 March – 26 May 2018

A remarkable variety of shellfish inhabit the waters of Japan owing to the northward Kuroshio Current and southward Oyashio Current. Since ancient times, the Japanese have felt the magical allure of shellfish, eaten them, and used their shells in daily life. In the Edo period (1603-1868), natural scientists collected shells out of natural curiosity and compiled them in beautifully detailed reference books. Thereafter, in the Meiji period (1868-1912), shellfish came to be researched scientifically. At this time, there appeared kaijin (“shell men”)— specialized researchers and amateur collectors—who together built the world of modern Japanese conchology.
This exhibition introduces 10 such kaijin and displays shells carefully selected from their collections along with related historical materials. By knowing their world—conchologists and shell collectors who devoted their lives to shells—we will discover deeper beauty and fascination in their shell specimens. Keen researchers exploring the world of land snails . . . collectors seeking out shells beautiful, tiny, or rare from all over the world. For the first time, the collections of the kaijin who launched an epoch are displayed together in a single venue. We invite you to experience an unprecedented, new world of shells.
We wish to extend our warmest appreciation to everyone whose efforts have made this exhibition possible.

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