The Science and Art of Star Wars exhibition opened on March 20 at the prestigious National Science Museum in Tokyo. A crowd of more than 350 fans lined up on a rainy opening day. This exhibition brings with it 500 objects from the Lucasfilm Archives -- making it the largest exhibition in Star Wars history. It includes artwork, maquettes, models, props and costumes from all five of the Star Wars films.

The special reception held on March 19 included a welcome by the Museum's Director and by Japan's Minister of Culture. Close to 500 special VIP guests were invited to this reception and turned out in record numbers. Museum officials also commented that attendance at the press event on March 19 garnered the largest turnout they have had to date, with as many as 70 members of the electronic media on hand, in addition to the print press.

Actor Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) and Animation Director Rob Coleman of Industrial Light & Magic were also in attendance.

The opening three days of the exhibition saw over 10,000 guests pass through the new galleries at the museum in Ueno Park. This exhibition was organized by the Siebold Stichting Foundation in conjunction with Lucasfilm Ltd. A version of the exhibition will continue to tour Japan throughout 2004.

Tentative dates and venues for the exhibition are:

National Science Museum - Tokyo
March 20 - June 20, 2004

Fukushima Prefectural Museum of Art
& Fukushima Museum - Aizu
July 3 - September 26, 2004

Osaka Maritime Museum
October - December, 2004

For more information on the Star Wars exhibit visit the official National Science Museum Web site here.