Kyoto University of Education – Manabino-Mori Museum

Highlight

Displays of early equipment used in experiments - the device below explains the gyroscope compass (produced by Shimadzu Corp. in 1929)

Scholastic materials spanning 135 years

The momentum for founding this museum derives from the discovery of masses of old teaching materials and tools in some science rooms that were due to be renovated. Thus, the museum was opened in 2011, with a mixture of aims that include the organization of and the display of 135 years of university history from when it started out in 1876 as a Normal School of Kyoto Prefecture through to today, with the archeological finds, artworks and musical instruments that have come to light together with the university’s historical materials and data as catalysts and sources to assist scholastic research, school education and social education.
Some of the permanent collection includes equipment used in scientific experiments, specimens of animals, plants and rocks, part of an ancient Egyptian mummy, artworks, writings, sculptures and musical instruments, historical documents, and antiquities.
The museum building was built in 1897 and first served as a military brigade headquarters before becoming a school staff hall. And, as a valuable war legacy, every effort has been made to restore the ambience of a century ago.