- April 2 - September 7, 2026.
- KINGS OF AFRICANART
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By the 12th century, the Kingdom of Benin had already been established in what is now Nigeria. When Portuguese Christian missionaries arrived in the Kingdom of Kongo in 1490, they encountered a sophisticated court, where King Afonso I and King Manuel I of Portugal concluded treaties on equal and reciprocal terms.
In the Grasslands region of Cameroon, the warriors of the Bamum Kingdom are known to have fought bravely against German incursions. In the royal capital of Foumban, the palace stood as a symbol of authority, and in the early 20th century, King Njoya received German officials with great dignity.
These examples reflect the rich diversity of African kingdoms, each of which developed its own distinctive courtly culture and artistic traditions.
This exhibition focuses on major royal traditions across Africa, including the kingdoms of Ife and Benin in Nigeria, the Akan states, the Bamum and Bamileke kingdoms of Cameroon, and the Kuba Kingdom of the Congo. It presents a wide range of artworks created within these royal contexts—ceremonial objects, masks, sculptures, and textiles—offering insight into the artistic and cultural achievements of Africa’s great dynasties.
- General admission Adult 800yen. Students 700yen. Children under 12 is free (accompanied by an adult).
- Open 9:30AM〜5PM (last entry is 4:30PM)
- Curator’s gallery talk Saturdays from 1:00PM.
- Closed Tuesday and Wednesday (Except when these days fall on national holidays.
- Nominal Support Embassy of the Republic of Ghana, Embassy of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Embassy of the Republic of Cameroon, Embassy of Democratic Republic of Congo, Hokuto City, Hokuto City Board of Education, YBS Yamanashi Broadcast, Yamanashi Nichinichi Shinbun, The Asahi Shinbun Kofu General Branch, The Mainichi Daily News Kofu Branch, The daily Yomiuri Kofu Branch, Yatsugatake Journal, and FM Yatsugatake.
The museum is open daily from July 20 to August 31, 2026).
