Accolade status for university's Japanese exhibits

The Japanese collections at a university's oriental museum have been awarded designated collection status by Arts Council England.

The Durham University items span centuries of Japanese history and culture, from the Muromachi period through to contemporary works.

Rachel Barclay, the museum's senior curator, said the accolade was "a wonderful recognition".

Shuji Maeda, minister at the Japanese Embassy in London, said the existence of such a "rich" collection outside London was "particularly significant".

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.

Maeda, who has visited the museum twice in the past year, said the recognition was "very well deserved".

"This collection brings authentic Japanese culture to people across the UK, including younger generations," he said.

"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."

The Japanese collections have more than doubled in size over the past decade and are now among the museum's fastest expanding collections.

They include swords and armour, intricately embroidered silk kimono, ceramics, woodblock prints and traditional folk toys.

"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.

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.

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