Durham University’s Japanese collections have been given a rare national honour, placing the Oriental Museum among a select group of institutions whose holdings are recognised as being of outstanding importance.
Arts Council England has awarded the collections Designated Collection status, recognising their national and international significance. There are just over 160 Designated Collections in England, and Durham University now holds five.
The university’s five recognised collections are the Chinese, Egyptian and Japanese collections at the Oriental Museum, together with Cosin’s Library and the Sudan Archive, both held within Palace Green Library.
A collection spanning centuries of Japanese culture
The Japanese holdings cover centuries of history and culture, from the Muromachi period to the present day. Visitors and researchers can find swords and armour, embroidered silk kimono, ceramics, woodblock prints and traditional folk toys among the collections.
The museum’s holdings also reflect contemporary Japan, including modern ceramics, manga, street fashion and digital art. They have grown particularly quickly in recent years and are now described by the university as one of the Oriental Museum’s fastest expanding collections.
Over the past decade, the Japanese collections have more than doubled in size through donations and acquisitions. Among the major additions are the Hyatt King Collection of Japanese ceramics, donated by David and Anne Hyatt King, and almost 600 woodblock prints and postcards given by Durham University alumnus John P Scott.
The Oriental Museum also holds a nationally significant collection of traditional Japanese folk toys collected by Jane Irissa.
International links and new exhibition
The collections support Durham University’s long-standing partnership with the National Museum of Japanese History in Japan. The university said that relationship helps develop international research, cultural exchange and diplomatic links.
The Designated status follows years of work by university staff to expand the collections and build relationships with museums, universities and cultural organisations in Japan.
The recognition comes ahead of Breaking the Mould: Japanese Ceramics from the Hyatt King Collection, a major new exhibition at the Oriental Museum. It opens on 2 October 2026 and will feature highlights from the more than 2,000 ceramics donated by David and Anne Hyatt King.
Shuji Maeda, Minister at the Japanese Embassy in London, said the recognition was “very well deserved”. He said the collection brings authentic Japanese culture to people across the UK, including younger generations, and highlighted the significance of access to such a rich collection outside London.
The university has directed visitors to its Oriental Museum for further information, as well as to Arts Council England’s Designated Collections information and details of current and forthcoming exhibitions and events.