VietNamNet Bridge – The family of late Japanese archaeologist Nishimura Masanari, an expert on Vietnamese archaeology, has donated his entire library – in all, 7,000 items – to the National University of Ha Noi.

Japanese archaeologist Nishimura Masanari, his wife Noriko Nishino and their two sons who were both born in Viet Nam. — Photo courtesy of Masanari family.

This includes books, maps and magazines on the Stone Age, early agriculture, Vietnamese Dong Son culture during the Bronze Age, and Southeast Asian ceramic history. His collection includes a large volume of study materials in history, culture and anthropology of Viet Nam and other Southeast Asian countries.

Masanari spent more than 20 years working in Viet Nam with his wife, Dr Noriko Nishino, who is also an archaeologist. He was among one of the few foreign experts on Viet Nam’s archaeology. He also trained many young Vietnamese archaeologists.

His archaeological work in Viet Nam includes a major discovery in 1998 of a mould used to make bronze drums 2,000 years ago in Luy Lau, in the northern province of Bac Ninh. The only one of its kind to have been unearthed in the country, it was definite proof that Viet Nam was one of the sources for ancient drums.

The Japanese couple supported the rural community in Duong Xa, Bac Ninh, to help them build the village’s first community museum (also the country’s first), where its extensive ceramic history is displayed.

Masanari died in a traffic accident in 2013. He was honoured with a Friendship Medal by the Viet Nam Academy of Social Sciences for his contribution to archaeology in Viet Nam, and his love for the country and its people. 

VNS