Mollusks are a large group of invertebrates with over 100,000 known species. Their body forms are remarkably diverse, ranging from elongated, worm-like shapes without shells to familiar snails, bivalves, and even cephalopods such as octopuses and squids. Mollusks inhabit a wide range of environments, including marine areas down to the deep sea, freshwater regions, and terrestrial habitats.

Biologically diverse, mollusks have also had a profound relationship with humans. Since prehistoric times, people have used mollusks not only as a food source but also for their shells as materials for tools and ornaments. This relationship has evolved over time and continued into the modern era, with mollusks playing roles in cultural practices, religious rituals, and as items for collection, enriching human life and nurturing the human spirit.

This exhibition aims to explore mollusks as living organisms and reflect on their historical relationship with humans, focusing primarily on examples from Japan while providing an opportunity to consider the future of this relationship.

Exhibition

Title Special Exhibition
"The Shell Exhibition: Why Are People Fascinated by Shells?"
Period November 26, 2024 (Tue) – March 2, 2025 (Sun)
Venue Japan Gallery 1F Exhibition Hall for temporally exhibition and Central Hall
Hours 9:00-17:00
*Opening days, hours etc. are subject to alteration. Please check the website before your visit.
Closed Monday, December 28, 2024 - January 1, 2025, January 14 and February 25
(Except December 23, January 13, February 17 and 24)
Organizers National Museum of Nature and Science
Cooperation Doctor Naotada Akahosi Cultural Heritage Museum,
The Urakawa Museum,
Kagoshima Prefectural Archaeological Center,
Natural History Museum. Kishiwada City,
The University Museum, The University of Tokyo,
Toba Sea-Folk Museum,
Toyohashi Museum of Natural History,
Hagi Museum,
Meguro Parasitological Museum,
Yokosuka City Museum

Access

National Museum of Nature and Science
Address 7-20 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-8718
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National Museum of Nature and Science access map

What to see

Introduction: The World of Mollusks

Mollusks are generally described as invertebrates with a calcium carbonate shells, such as clams. However, this classification covers a wider meaning, and includes organisms that do not have shells. What is the origin of the thriving mollusks that are scattered throughout the Earth and how did they develop? Here, their amazing diversity in size is introduced, and their evolutionary path is considered.

Ammmonicera japonica
Ammmonicera japonica
Pelecyogyra fezouataensis
Pelecyogyra fezouataensis

Chapter 1: The Origin of Mollusk Diversity

More than 100,000 species of mollusks are said to exist on the earth, and these come in a significantly diverse array, not only general body structure (organization), but also habitat, ecology, shell morphology, etc. Some mollusks have evolved toward a life without a shell. First, an overall view of mollusks is given, followed by a look at their diversity and its causes.

Paramegadenus arrhynchus
Paramegadenus arrhynchus
Hysteroconcha lupanaria
Hysteroconcha lupanaria
Guildfordia yoka
Guildfordia yoka

Chapter 2: The Long Relationship Between Man and Mollusks - From prehistoric times to modern day

The relationship between man and mollusks has continued from Prehistoric times to today. In times when food was scarce, mollusks were a stable food that sustained the people. On the other hand, man has used shellfish as material for sharp weapons, decorative ornaments, etc. Furthermore, their existence has transcended that of a natural product to one associated with culture, such as in religious events and games.

貝輪 Shell bracelet
（Strombus latissimus ) （Kagoshima Prefectural Archaeological Center）
Kai-awase
Kai-awase (shell matching game)
（Meretrix lusoria )

Chapter 3: The Deep Relationship between Man and Mollusks - People attracted to shells

The ultimate relationship between man and mollusks today may be the collection of shells. Shells easily become specimens and can be preserved for a long period of time. These characteristics are attractive to many people as a representative biological collection. Collections also vary, such as aiming to collect all the species within a specific region, or concentrating on a group within a particular classification.

Entemnotrochus adansoniana
Entemnotrochus adansoniana
Conus gloriamaris
Conus gloriamaris

Chapter 4: How to Maintain our Relationship with Mollusks into the Future

Man and mollusks have enjoyed a long and deep relationship. Today as well, that relationship has continued to change. Mollusks have prospered throughout the earth, but have also been affected by recent environment and global changes. Changes in the relationship with man, including man's eating habits, have also been observed. Current conditions are described here, and the future is considered.

Donacilla picta
Masuho no kogai (small reddish shells)
( Donacilla picta )