| 1 金印の世界 国宝 金印「漢委奴国王」 福岡市博物館の常設展示は、国宝 金印「漢委奴国王」から始まります。 中国の史書『後漢書』には、西暦５７年、「倭の奴国」の使いに、後漢の光武帝が「印」と「綬」を授けたとあります。奴国とは、現在、福岡市が位置する博多湾沿岸に存在した国であり、このときの「印」が国宝 金印「漢委奴国王」だと考えられています。 金印は、1784年志賀島において発見されました。福岡藩主に献上されて以降、亀井南冥をはじめとする多くの人の検証が、金印の正体を解明してきました。国宝に指定されたのは1931年。この国の成り立ちを物語るものとして学校の教科書にもよく掲載される文化財です。 金印の変わらない輝きは、古代の東アジア世界、国のあけぼの、先人たちの探求心など、さまざまなことがらを照らし出します。 | 1 The permanent exhibition starts with the display of the gold seal “King of Na of Wa in Han,” a national treasure. According to The Book of the Later Han, in 57 A.D., Emperor Guangwu bestowed upon the envoy from “Na of Wa” a seal and a ribbon. Na of Wa was a country that existed on the coast of Hakata Bay. The seal given by the emperor is considered to correspond to this gold seal. This seal was discovered on Shikanoshima Island in 1784. Since it was offered to the lord of the Fukuoka domain, many scholars, including the celebrated scholar Nanmei Kamei, have examined it to determine its identity. It was eventually recognized as authentic and was designated as a national treasure in 1931. It is such an important cultural asset that it is often featured in history textbooks as a key object representing the origins of Japan. The unchanging brilliance of the gold seal illuminates many aspects, such as ancient East Asia, the dawn of Japan, and the intellectual efforts of people in the past. |
| 2 福岡のあけぼの 見渡す限りの大地が海となった。博多湾だ およそ26,000年前、氷河期で九州と大陸がほとんど陸続きだった頃、福岡の地に人びとがくらすようになります。15,000年前には気候が温かくなり、九州と大陸は海で隔てられます。その頃の人びとは、石のやじりの弓矢で狩りをし、土器で食べ物を煮炊きしていました。 | 2 The Dawn of Fukuoka — The vast land became the sea.This is what is now Hakata Bay. About 26,000 years ago, in the Ice Age, when Kyushu and the continent were connected by land, people began to live in the Fukuoka area. About 15,000 years ago, as the climate became warmer, Kyushu and the continent became separated. Around this time, people made a living by hunting with stone arrowheads using bows and arrows and cooking food in pottery vessels. |
| 3 奴国の時代 稲作伝来！ 時代がここから動き出す 大陸から朝鮮半島を経由し、福岡の地に稲作が伝わりました。人びとは、稲作とともに新しい社会のしくみや技術の体系、稲の実りを願う祭祀や儀礼を受け容れ、農耕集落を築くようになります。集落はやがて国へと成長し、海の向こうの世界と交流を始めました。 | 3 The Age of the Na Kingdom — The introduction of rice cultivation — history begins here. From the continent via the Korean Peninsula, rice cultivation was introduced to the Fukuoka area. Along with rice cultivation, people adopted new social structures, technological systems, as well as rituals and ceremonies to pray for good harvests. This led them to build agricultural villages. Eventually, these villages grew into a state, which began to engage in exchanges with the world beyond the sea. |
| 4 鴻臚館の時代 ようこそ日本へ、いざ行かん海外へ ４世紀以降、国の中心は畿内へとうつります。福岡の地は、外交・交易の窓口であると同時に国の守りの最前線になります。現在、舞鶴公園のある博多湾をのぞむ小高い丘の上には古代の外交施設「鴻臚館」が置かれ、人・もの・文化の交流の舞台となりました。 | 4 The Age of the Kōrōkan — Welcome to Japan — and onward to the world. From the 4th century onward, the political center of the country shifted to the Kinai region. Fukuoka functioned as a gateway for diplomacy and international trade, as well as the frontline of national defense. On a hill overlooking Hakata Bay, where Maizuru Park now stands, the ancient diplomatic facility known as Kōrōkan was established. It became a stage for exchanges of people, goods, and culture. |
| 5 博多綱首の時代 日本初のチャイナタウン、博多にオープン 11世紀の半ば、対外交流の舞台は、鴻臚館から博多へうつります。博多には中国・宋から来た人びとがチャイナタウン「唐房」を築き、交易を活発に行います。「博多綱首」と呼ばれる彼らの活躍により、博多には、大陸の新しい文化が流れ込んで来ました。 | 5 The Age of the Hakata Tōshū — The first Chinatown in Japan emerged in Hakata. In the mid-11th century, the center of international exchange shifted from the Kōrōkan to Hakata. In Hakata, people from Song China established a Chinatown known as “Tōbō” and actively engaged in trade. Thanks to the activities of these traders, known as the Hakata Tōshū, new cultures flowed into Hakata from the continent. |
| 6 博多豪商の時代 世界と日本を海がつなぐ 蒙古襲来ののち、博多の交易の担い手として日本人が台頭します。中国・元そして明との貿易船を経営し、琉球、朝鮮を往来するなど東シナ海を舞台に活躍する豪商たち。彼らがもたらす富により博多は繁栄を極めますが、それゆえに戦国時代には戦乱の場となりました。 | 6 The Age of Hakata’s Wealthy Merchants — The sea connects Japan with the world After the Mongol invasions, Japanese merchants rose to prominence as the leaders of trade. They operated trading ships with Yuan and Ming China and sailed across the East China Sea, engaging in trade with regions such as Ryukyu and Korea. The wealth they brought made Hakata prosper greatly, but it also led Hakata to become a battleground during the Warring States period. |
| 7 福岡藩の時代 皆のもの、今日からここは「福岡」だ 関ヶ原の戦功で筑前の一国を得た黒田長政は、新しい城と城下町を建設し、この地を「福岡」と名づけました。城下町・福岡と復興した商業の町・博多は、ともに経済、産業の中心として発展し、新しい思想や文化の花開く舞台となりました。 | 7 The Age of the Fukuoka Domain — “From this day on, this place shall be called Fukuoka.” Kuroda Nagamasa, who was granted the province of Chikuzen for his achievements in the Battle of Sekigahara, built a new castle and its castle town and named the area “Fukuoka.” The castle town of Fukuoka and the revived merchant town of Hakata developed together as a center of economic and industrial activity, and became a place where new ideas and culture flourished. |
| 8 近代都市・福岡の時代 めくるめくフクオカ、モダン都市に大変身 1889年、福岡と博多をあわせて福岡市が誕生します。福岡市は、博覧会を契機として市街地や交通網を整備し、近代都市へと変貌します。戦争末期の福岡大空襲でまちは焦土になりましたが、人びとは、祭りやスポーツに心を奮いたたせ、復興へと歩み出します。 | 8 The Age of Fukuoka as a Modern City — Ever-changing Fukuoka, transformed into a modern city In 1889, Fukuoka City was established with the merger of Fukuoka and Hakata. The city developed its urban infrastructure and transportation networks following the Exposition held there, and transformed into a modern city. The air raids on Fukuoka at the end of World War II reduced the city to ruins, but the people, encouraged by festivals and sports, began to move toward recovery. |
| 9 現代の福岡 あの瞬間も歴史に変わる 高度経済成長を経て、福岡市は都市としてさらなる成長をとげます。アジア諸地域との交流が福岡の未来を拓くという構想のもと、1989年にはアジア太平洋博覧会を開催しました。博物館のあるシーサイドももち地区はその頃に生まれた若いまちです。 | 9 Modern Fukuoka — Even this very moment will become history. After the period of rapid economic growth, Fukuoka continued to grow as a major city. Based on the vision of building a future for Fukuoka through exchange with Asian countries and regions, the city hosted the Asia-Pacific Exposition in 1989. The Seaside Momochi area, where the museum is located, is a relatively new urban area developed at that time. |
| 10 福博人生 昔も今も、ここで、みんなが生きている このコーナーでは福岡・博多にくらす架空の４世代家族が主役です。彼ら各世代がくらしの中で出会うさまざまな出来事を糸口に、人びとが周囲とどのように関係を結び、世間と触れあい、生きる技術を受け継いできたかを見ていきます。 | 10 Life in Fukuoka and Hakata — People have always lived here, past and present. This section features an imaginary four-generation family living in Fukuoka and Hakata. Through various events experienced by each generation, it shows how they connect with the people around them, how they interact with society, and how they have passed down ways of living from generation to generation. |
| 11 山笠の世界 こころの宝「博多祇園山笠」 博多祇園山笠は、この地を代表する夏の祭りです。 毎年、７月１日から15日までの期間中、福岡市内１０数カ所に「飾り山」が立ち、10日からは、「舁き山」が町を疾走します。クライマックスは、15日早朝の「追い山」行事。７つの「流」が、博多の鎮守・櫛田神社へ、次々に「舁き山」を舁き入れ、速さと心意気を競います。1979年には、国の重要無形文化財に指定されました。 | 11 The World of Yamakasa — Hakata Gion Yamakasa, a spiritual treasure of the people of Hakata Hakata Gion Yamakasa is the summer festival that represents Hakata. From July 1 to 15 each year, decorative floats called Kazariyama are displayed at more than ten locations across Fukuoka. From July 10 onward, portable floats called Kakiyama race through the streets. The climax is the Oiyama race held early in the morning on July 15. Seven groups, known as Nagare, carry their own Kakiyama one after another into Kushida Shrine, the guardian shrine of Hakata, and compete in speed and spirit. In 1979, the festival was designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Japan. |
| 常設展示の最後のコーナーには、博物館のために特別につくられた舁き山「軍師官兵衛之勲」を中心に、江戸時代の絵画、明治時代の様子がわかるジオラマなどを展示します。豪華絢爛・勇壮豪快な山笠の祭りには、この地の長い歴史と豊かな風土に育まれた人びとの心が込められています。 | The permanent exhibition concludes with a final section that centers on a Kakiyama float titled “The Achievements of Kanbei, the Strategist,” created especially for this museum, along with paintings from the Edo period and a diorama depicting life in the Meiji era. The Yamakasa festival, with its dazzling splendor and dynamic energy, embodies the spirit that the people of Hakata have nurtured through their long history in this rich environment. |
Welcome to the Fukuoka City Museum.
Our journey begins with a small object—but one of great importance.
A gold seal, a national treasure.
This is the gold seal known as “King of Na of Wa in Han.”
According to The Book of the Later Han, in the year 57, an envoy from an ancient Japanese state called Na visited China, and the emperor bestowed this seal upon them.
This small object tells us something very important:
that even in ancient times, this region was already connected to the wider world.
Now, imagine this land long before the city existed.
About 26,000 years ago, during the Ice Age, Kyushu and the continent were connected by land.
People began to live here.
Then, around 15,000 years ago, the climate grew warmer.
The sea rose—and the vast land you see in your imagination became the sea.
What you see today is Hakata Bay.
Time moves forward.
Rice cultivation arrives from the continent via the Korean Peninsula.
With it come new technologies, new social systems, and new ways of thinking.
People begin to form agricultural communities.
These communities grow into political entities—early states.
And once again, this region reaches out across the sea.
From the 4th century onward, the political center of Japan shifts to the Kinai region.
But this area—Fukuoka—takes on a new role.
It becomes the gateway of diplomacy and trade,
and at the same time, the frontline of national defense.
On a hill overlooking Hakata Bay, where Maizuru Park now stands,
there once stood an important diplomatic facility: the Kōrōkan.
Here, people, goods, and cultures from across Asia met and interacted.
In the mid-11th century, the stage of exchange shifts again—from the Kōrōkan to Hakata.
Merchants from Song China settle here and form an early Chinatown known as Tōbō.
Trade flourishes.
The leaders of this trade, known as the Hakata Tōshū,
bring new goods, new ideas, and new culture into the city.
Hakata becomes a vibrant international port.
After the Mongol invasions, Japanese merchants rise to prominence.
They operate trading ships across the East China Sea,
connecting Japan with China, Korea, and Ryukyu.
Their wealth brings great prosperity to Hakata.
But prosperity also attracts conflict.
During the Warring States period, the city becomes a battleground.
Then comes a turning point.
After the Battle of Sekigahara, a powerful lord, Kuroda Nagamasa, is granted this land.
He builds a new castle and a castle town, and gives it a new name:
“Fukuoka.”
From this point on, two cities grow side by side—
the samurai city of Fukuoka and the merchant city of Hakata.
Together, they develop into a center of economy, industry, and culture,
where new ideas begin to flourish.
In 1889, these two cities are officially united to form Fukuoka City.
The city modernizes rapidly—
developing infrastructure, expanding transportation, and transforming into a modern urban center.
But history is not always kind.
During World War II, air raids reduce the city to ruins.
And yet, the people do not give up.
Through festivals, through sports, through community,
they find the strength to rebuild—and move forward.
Today, Fukuoka continues to grow.
With strong connections to Asia, the city looks toward the future.
In 1989, it hosted the Asia-Pacific Exposition as a symbol of that vision.
The Seaside Momochi area, where this museum stands,
is itself a product of that modern development.
And even now, this very moment will one day become history.
But history is not only about great events.
It is also about everyday life.
In this section, you will meet an imaginary four-generation family living in Fukuoka and Hakata.
Through their lives, we see how people connect with others,
how they engage with society,
and how ways of living are passed down from one generation to the next.
And finally, we come to the heart of Hakata.
Hakata Gion Yamakasa.
This dynamic summer festival, with its speed, power, and passion,
has been carried on for centuries.
Each July, men race through the streets carrying heavy floats,
heading toward Kushida Shrine, the guardian shrine of Hakata.
They compete not only in speed—but in spirit.
The exhibition concludes with a magnificent Kakiyama float created especially for this museum,
along with Edo-period paintings and a Meiji-era diorama.
Together, they remind us of something essential:
That the Yamakasa festival is not just an event.
It is the embodiment of the spirit of the people of Hakata—
a spirit nurtured through a long history
and shaped by this rich land and sea.
And that spirit still lives here today.
Thank you for joining this journey through the history of Fukuoka.