Reimeikan Museum Kagoshima

Reimeikan Museum Kagoshima 鹿児島県歴史資料センター黎明館

The Reimeikan Museum in Kagoshima, on the southern island of Kyushu, is located at the foot of Mt. Shiroyama and is dedicated to the history, culture and folklore of Kagoshima Prefecture from ancient times to the present. The building stands on an area that was once Kagoshima (Tsurumaru) Castle. The stone walls, moats and a stone bridge still remain from the original castle. Exterior of the Reimeikan Museum in Kagoshima

History

The Reimeikan opened in 1968 to commemorate 100 years since the Meiji Restoration, an event of great importance in the history of Kagoshima when it was known as Satsuma domain. The museum underwent a renewal and modernization in 1996. The Reimeikan is built on what was formerly the site of Kagoshima Castle (aka Tsurumaru), of which only the stone walls and moats remain. The grounds contain a number of cherry trees. Exterior of the building

Exhibits

The Reimeikan has three floors and includes exhibits and historical documents relating to the culture and festivals of Kagoshima including dioramas, scale models, paintings, scrolls, tools and clothing. There are also wall panels focusing on famous people born in what is now Kagoshima Prefecture (formerly Satsuma). These include Saigo Takamori, Okubo Toshimichi and Shimazu Nariakira. Traditional fishing boat

Agricultural implements The Reimeikan's somewhat plain and austere exterior belies what is actually a very modern, interactive, variegated and intelligently laid-out museum that kids will enjoy every bit as much as adults. On display are masks and folk crafts from the Amami and Tokara islands, part of Kagoshima Prefecture, that fall, however, under the cultural influence of the Ryukyu Islands (Okinawa), agricultural implements, basket ware, clothing and tools. One interesting quirk of history discovered at the museum was an incident on Takarajima ("Treasure Island") in the Tokara Archipelago. In 1824 the crew of a British whaler came ashore in an attempt to steal cattle. One nameless British sailor was shot and killed by the islanders. In response the Tokugawa regime issued the Edict to Repel Foreign Vessels the following year. Traditional clothing and tools

Festival costume The museum also contains a restaurant, a cafe, an auditorium and a shop. Note: Photography is only allowed in certain areas of the museum and the attendants are quick to warm transgressors. The Reimeikan is close to the Statue of Saigo Takamori on Shiroyama, where Saigo made his last stand. Access is from Shiyakusho-mae tram stop. Traditional festival costumes from the Tokara Islands

Access - Getting There

Reimeikan 7-2, Shiroyamacho Kagoshima 892-0853 Tel: 099 222 5100 Hours: The museum is open Tuesday to Friday 10 am - 6 pm; closed on Monday unless Monday is a national holiday. Also closed on the 25th of each month unless a Saturday or Sunday and December 31-January 2. Admission is 310 yen for adults, 190 yen for college and high school students, and 120 yen for junior high and elementary school kids. Folk masks

Traditional crafts