Museum Collaborations

■ Purpose of Museum Collaborations

The aim of university museums is to seek the enhancement of the spread of education to the general public, on the basis of educational references for students, and the promotion of research in academic circles. Within this framework, Kokugakuin University Museum advocates specialist research, mainly on Japanese history, culture, and religion; we also advocate educational and promotional activities based on this research. However, in order to truly understand Japanese culture, comparative research with other cultures worldwide is vital. Further, training in the liberal arts through practical experience at museums can be considered one of the functions to be fulfilled by university museums.
Having received suggestions from Seinan Gakuin University Museum (in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture), we held a joint special exhibition in FY2013: "The Origin of Japanese Faith and Christianity: the first reception, its development and today's education." In this joint exhibition, we believe that we were able to achieve research and educational results we could not have accomplished as an independent university museum, based on plans created through discussions with staff from both institutions, with student staff joining in for practical work experience. Using this as an opportunity, in July 2014 we concluded a Research Partnership Agreement between Seinan University Museum and Kokugakuin University Museum in order to deepen the regular cooperation between our university museums, with a founding spirit of Shinto and Christianity.
Through this Cooperation with Museums project, we aim to enhance our research and educational activities. We are also aiming to facilitate mutual exchanges between staff and students, through special exhibitions and exhibitions made possible by mutual loans, based on joint research proposals, and through the design and implementation of events accompanying these exhibitions.

 

■ SEINAN GAKUIN UNIVERSITY MUSEUM

"Seinan, Be True to Christ" is the founding principle of Seinan Gakuin University in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, which was established in 1916 by C. K. Dozier, an American missionary. In 2006, the former main building (the Dozier Memorial Hall), designated a Tangible Cultural Property of Fukuoka City, was renovated, and Seinan Gakuin University Museum was opened. As well as sources relating to the history of Christianity, and permanent exhibits on the history of the university, it hosts special and temporary exhibits twice a year, public lectures, and other events.