The National Museum of Ethnology (Minpaku) is a research center for ethnology and cultural anthropology.

Ethnology and Rise of Cinema : From Shadow Theater to Multimedia

Ethnology and Rise of Cinema : From Shadow Theater to Multimedia
1f map 1.The Lumière Tower
This is the centerpiece of the exhibition. Visitors are invited to enter the tower and enjoy the kaleidoscope of light and images.
2.Moving Pictures: The Innovations that Gave Birth to the Moving Picture
An introduction to the innovations that preceded the birth of the moving picture. Visitors are encouraged to touch and operate the replicas and originals to appreciate the ways that motion was simulated.
3.Edison's Kinetoscope
A look at one of the technological innovations by American inventor Thomas A. Edison. Visitors can operate this machine lent by the Museum of the Moving Image, and enjoy a brief look into late nineteenth century America.
4.Theater of Light and Shadow: Emile Raynaud's Théâtre Optique
This innovation creates a sense of movement as film strips are cranked by hand against a background lit with a magic lantern. Visitors will see a demonstration of the Théâtre Optique in the Exhibition Hall from October to November.
5.Grand Café: Cinématographe of the Lumière Brothers
The cinématographe is considered the first film projection system. Visitors can enjoy a reproduction of the “Salon Indien” of the Grand Café where the cinématographe took place in 1895.
2f map 6.Cinema Heritage: Film Preservation
During the century since the birth of this medium, many works have been destroyed or decayed. This section showcases the organizations that support film preservation and the technology that is used.
7.The “Observed”
With the invention of cinema in the late nineteenth century, cameramen traveled the world seeking people to film from the ordinary to the exotic. Visitors will see the early film documents from around the world including early motion pictures of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka of the Meiji era.
8.History of Visual Anthropology
This section introduces the work of well-known visual anthropologist/filmmakers. Wander from tent to tent and experience the wide range of filmmaking styles.
9.From Cinema to Multimedia
Millions of people have appeared in the films produced during the past one hundred years. Few would have imagined that their images would be exhibited one century later. What if you were in the position of being “observed”? In this section, visitors are encouraged to document themselves on video.