Exhibitions

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  Exhibition Current

  Permanent exhibition

  In Kyoto, where both the supporters and opposers of the shogunate were active, valuable materials are always on display based on the idea of ​​understanding the history of the Bakumatsu Restoration from both perspectives.

  ■Konosuke Matsushita and Ryozen [newly displayed]
  We will exhibit valuable materials related to the establishment of the Ryozen Museum and Konosuke Matsushita (Panasonic founder), the first director of the museum.

  ■ Boshin War Picture Scroll / Shinsengumi soldier List
  All three volumes of the spectacular “Boshin War Record Picture Scroll” or three types of “Shinsengumi soldier List” will be exhibited alternately.

  ■ Permanent main exhibition on the 2nd floor
  Zone exhibitions are mainly focused on Ryoma Sakamoto and Shinsengumi / Shogunate.

  * On the 1st floor, “the Sword that killed Ryoma”, “Kondo Isami’s sword”, and “Hijikata Toshizo’s sword” are also exhibited, which is a representative collection of the museum.

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  Exhibition Current

  160 Years After His Accession: Tokugawa Yoshinobu and Those Around Him

  Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last shogun of Japan, was born on September 29, 1837, at the Mito domain’s residence in Koishikawa, Edo. His father was Tokugawa Nariaki, the ninth lord of the Mito domain, and his mother was Princess Tomi, daughter of Prince Arisugawa Orihito. Yoshinobu always held deep respect and a sense of closeness toward the Imperial Family, a sentiment shaped in part by the Mito school’s reverence for the emperor.

  Among Mito retainers, he was regarded as the one who could restore the Tokugawa house. Kido Takayoshi of the Chōshū domain once remarked, “The boldness and strategy of Hitotsubashi Yoshinobu must never be underestimated; he is truly like the reincarnation of Tōshōgū (Tokugawa Ieyasu).” His decisiveness and intellect were both admired and feared by many of the era’s activists.

  Yet, the widow of Yoshinobu’s ninth son later reflected, “Lord Yoshinobu was a curious man—most of his life was shaped by others.” Those around him projected their ideals onto him, turning him into an icon of their own making.

  Despite his turbulent life, Yoshinobu was meticulous—he kept a diary even during busy periods—and possessed an excellent memory.

  This exhibition explores the true character of Tokugawa Yoshinobu, beyond the myths and expectations that surrounded him.

  The first period will run from Thursday, 15th January to Sunday, 29th March and the second period will run from Tuesday, 31st March to Sunday, 10th May.

  1st period: 15 January to 29 March
  2nd period: 31 March to 10 May