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LECTURES & SYMPOSIUM
Commemorative Symposium for the 5th Anniversary of the Opening of Miho Museum 
Central East Asians in China: 
Discoveries along the Easternmost Region of the Silk Road 
November 23 (Saturday), 2002

Miho Museum held its 5th-Year Anniversary Symposium, Central East Asians in China: Discoveries along the Easternmost Region of the Silk Road, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., on November 23 last year. When Miho Museum first opened, the Funerary Couch, dated to the Chinese Northern dynasties period (386-588), drew much controversy and attention, because there was no other such known example. However, with the discovery of two similar works in northwestern China in 1999 and in 2000, the Funerary Couch gained immediate recognition as an important object.
A lively debate was held on the customs and religions of the Sogdians through various objects related to these Iranian people, who migrated from Central Asia to China. The panelists for this symposium included Dr. Boris Marshak of the State Hermitage Museum, Dr. Valentina Raspopova of the Russian Academy of Science, Professor Rong Xinjiang of University of Beijing, and Professor Yutaka Yoshida of Kobe City University of Foreign Studies, with Professor Fuminori Sugaya of the University of Shiga Prefecture serving as the moderator. The symposium proceedings will be published in the Bulletin of MIHO MUSEUM.
Scene of Musical Performance at Banquet
Funerary Couch

China
Northern Dynasties period (386-588),
latter half of the 6th century
White marble
White marble with pigments and gold

Top: Scene of Musical Performance at Banquet
Bottom left: Funerary rite
Bottom right: The God Nana and Musicians

Funerary rite The God Nana and Musicians



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