In my previous blog about the best and worst museums I visited in Japan I mentioned that it was a real struggle and that the ‘winners and losers’ such as there are, were in a very subjective and technical sense.
Usually when I visit places there are standouts, something that awed me in its scale or execution. Alternatively something that hardly tries or fails spectacularly. But in Japan everything was… pretty good. Technically highly competent with evidence of solid programs and community involvement. But to some extent it made it almost boring.
Osaka History Museum
The interest then is in why so many museums including even very small local museums, and seemingly niche museums such as a sewage works are so good. With obviously modern displays and highly detailed dioramas and sets that rival the best of museums elsewhere?
We could of course make some kind of speculation about national character, pride in history and achievement etc. But whilst I have no doubt that this is true to an extent I’m wary of sticking my oar somewhere I have even less experience.
Ultimately I think there is a very simple answer, and it’s money. Running costs in Japan are very low (famously it’s why they can afford to make their trains so good) and yet people spend freely. The museums were busy at all times with a diverse mix of local seeming people, this included of course families and old people, school trips etc. But even after schools let out you could find small groups of school children choosing to hang out at the museums. Additionally whilst there people were happy to spend money on special tickets, small trinkets, food, and photograph opportunities.
Once again answering ‘why’ is probably beyond my capabilities but it is at least in part to do with the endless parade of special collaborations, promotions, and events. I’ve already waxed lyrical about the Pokemon Fossil Museum (They have a new astronomy one coming, i’m very excited), and the Animal crossing x Sealife Centre one, but across Japan it seemed that nearly every single place had a small collaboration on at any given time but only for a limited time so you have to come visit now!
Small Worlds
The second is slightly more speculative on my part but I feel is supported by the raft of Utility based museums such as the Gasworks Museum, Water Works, and two different Sewage Museums I visited (among others). And that’s that the various companies are simply willing to put more money out there for projects like museums.
Exactly why is again cultural but part of this comes from the Zaibatsu, family run mega corporations like Mistubishi that are simply enormous. This has led to a different corporate culture where the public image is highly significant and as well as less ‘enshitfication’ generally across Japan as well as lower prices it means that companies are happier to put money forward.
Rainbow Sewage Museum
Things are of course more complicated but I believe that fundamentally Japanese museums enjoy both a better commercialisation of their spaces and there is more access to money for keeping museums fresh. And given that money even the small and niche museums are able to bring themselves up to a higher standard.
What’s the learning from this then? That all museums should be given more money? Well… yes, obviously. But simply saying that isn’t helpful and nor do I expect that it will convince anyone that holds the purse strings.
Instead perhaps we should consider that worse museums are often so because they don’t have the budget and consider how we can work around this. And also look at how temporary events and collaborations can bring people back into the space beyond the normal cycle of exhibitions.
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