Summary of the talk on the Japanese Collection in The Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale University. Presented on May 11, 2005 for the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Science by Professor Robert G Wheeler.

Following a brief review of the economic and philanthropic activities of George Peabody, the history of the Japanese collection in the Peabody museum was reiterated. This was put in the context of the history of Japan focusing on the years after Commodore Perry's opening of Japan to the West in 1854. Vast changes in the Japanese economy and society followed the political upheaval in 1868.The most significant changes occurred regarding the samurai class. They were stripped of their status; no longer allowed to carry their twin swords but more importantly they lost their hereditary stipends from their daimyo. With modernization in the years following the restoration (1868) of the Emperor Meiji, collectors sought items from "old Japan" made before 1868, "new Japan" made by artisans who had lost the patronage of the samurai, and cultural items that transcended the vast changes of the Meiji period.
The Peabody collection contains over 2500 items characteristic all three of the above categories. Samurai swords and armor are well represented including a wonderful suit of armor purchased by E.O. Marsh in 1886. With modernization western dress was adopted making many dress accoutrements such as inro no long appropriate. The collection contains about a dozen of these beautifully decorated small containers given by a Yale graduate who purchased them from a famous dealer in New York, the Yamanaka Company in the late 1890's.
There are wood block prints by famous 19th century artists such as Hiroshige and Hokusai as well as a few scroll painting of elegance and importance. The role of the Noh play in "old Japan" is illustrated in actor triptychs by Kunisada and Noh masks some dating to the 17th century. Lacquer ware in the collection includes sprinkled gold "maki-e" writing boxes as well as red ware called Kamakura-bori.
Examples from the Meiji times include porcelain and pottery vessels associated with the very best artisans of the period. The works of these artisans received many honors and awards when exhibited at the World Fairs that occurred in the last decades of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century both in the United
States and Europe.
From the continuing cultural class of items, the tea ceremony utensils are many, mostly made in the Meiji period. A most charming set of Hina Dolls (circa 1900) made for the Girl's Doll Festival normally held annually on March 3. This festival and its traditions originated in the 12th century.
Introducing Dr. Roger Colten, manager of the Anthropology collection, and acknowledging his essential role in this endeavor, concluded the talk.