Yamashina Institute of Ornithology Collection (Entrusted to UMUT

The Yamashina Institute of Ornithology is the only institute specialized in ornithology (science of birds) in Japan. The institute emanates from a private collection room established in Marquess Yoshimaro Yamashina’s mansion in 1932, and now preserves the best ornithological collection in Japan, both in quality and quantity. Here are stored about 350 specimens deposited from the Yamashina collection, which includes the specimen originally possessed by the Biological Laboratory of the Imperial Household or donated to the Emperor. These old elegant specimens reveal the highest level of art of the taxidermists and craftsmen in those days.