Lamp work glass beads from Taiwan, South America and Africa are introduced from the Segawa Collection, owned by the National Museum of Ethnology.

What do you imagine beads are made of?
Are they made of glass, some kind of metal or plastic?
In addition to these types, around the world beads made of stone, wood, nuts, eggs, shell, teeth, fangs, and other materials. These are introduced here

Since the very beginnings of beads, what kinds of items have people regarded as beads?
Let's trace the history of beads up until the present time. We'll use mainly shells, stones, and glass to do this.

How the beads mentioned above are made ; an audiovisual introduction.
(The tools used in the video are also displayed.)

Bags, dolls, hats, masks, musical instruments, and others items using beads are exhibited.
Please watch carefully what types of beads are used, how they are used, and how many are used.

About 20 bead costumes collected from various countries are displayed, along with human and animal figures made of beads.
What is your favorite among the world's cute, beautiful, or gorgeous costumes?

In this section beads from around the world are displayed by region together with photos of them. How they are used locally is shown from a field worker's research perspective.

The latest trends in lamp work glass, bead bags, wire art, Swarovski, and paper beads are introduced as contemporary pieces of bead artwork.

At the end of the exhibition, an "experience space" is provided for visitors to touch beads.
You can make your own beads using natural materials like acorns, or participate in creating a giant piece of bead work.
Please enjoy making beads or decorating yourself with them, now that you have acquired a deeper understanding of their attractive features.