The Fabulous Treasures of The Tokugawa
The museum collection contains swords and other weapons, suits of samurai armor, tea ceremony utensils and ceramics, art and calligraphy, Noh costumes and masks, furnishings and a whole lot more. Among the most valued items are the National Treasure listed, and therefore rarely displayed, Genji Monogatari Emaki, three Heian Period hand-painted scrolls depicting the Tale of Genji, dating from the 1130s.
The museum also boasts 9 Designated National Treasure items, 59 Important Cultural Properties, and 46 Important Art Objects. The array of gorgeous artifacts on display changes regularly, and fascinating special exhibitions keep the crowds returning for more.
The adjoining Hosa Library contains over 110,000 books, scrolls and other literature belonging to the Owari Tokugawa clan, 3,000 of which were presented to the first lord, Yoshinao, by his father and shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Indulge in the opulence, the beauty and the luxury enjoyed by the ruling Tokugawa clan, and the treasures they have preserved for all to see.
Various special and planned exhibitions held throughout the year
At the museum's special exhibitions, traditional Japanese culture is presented following various concepts, including the annual "Special Exhibition: The Tale of Genji Emaki Scrolls" and the "Owari Tokugawa Family Hina Doll Festival." Please enjoy the collection handed down by the feudal lord family, which boasts one of the most impressive reliquaries in Japan in both quality and volume, while appreciating family heirlooms such as national treasures and important cultural properties up close.
They Live Among Us!
Tourists would be relieved to know that, despite the dramatic conclusion of the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1868, by means of the Last Shogun's Resignation, the family descendants, although diminished in power and wealth, still walk among us, leading simple lives. In fact, this unique museum's existence is owed to the clever foresight of one of them, for instead of just sitting and waiting for the remaining fortune to be defiled and taken away, he decided it was best to donate everything to the municipality in Nagoya-city. And for that we, as well as the Japanese people, are very grateful.
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