Featured Exhibition
The Treasures of Hitoyoshi Kuma
Located in southeastern Kumamoto Prefecture, the Hitoyoshi Kuma region is surrounded by the verdant Kyushu Mountains. With the Kuma River flowing through its valleys, nature’s blessings have long nurtured its people.
The historical artifacts that have been gathered for this exhibition aim to convey the charms of Hitoyoshi Kuma. These include stone tools from about 30,000 years ago, documents from the Sagara clan that ruled the region for some 700 years, art and sculpture from the unique Buddhist culture nurtured there, and traditional handicrafts that are still loved today. Also on display are the cultural properties that were restored from the damage caused by torrential rains in 2020.
Open the lid of this treasure chest to discover what makes Hitoyoshi Kuma, a region where history lives on, such a special place.
Exhibition Period |
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22 October (Tues) – 15 December (Sun) 2024 |
Venue |
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Rooms 9 and 11, Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall (Floor 4) |
Tickets Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall (Permanent Exhibition) |
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Adults | 700 yen |
University students | 350 yen |
High school students, visitors under 18, and seniors above 70 | Free |
*For more information on ticket prices, please refer to this page.
Leaflet |
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Exhibition Highlights
An Exceptional Golden Mirror
An Exceptional Golden Mirror

Important Cultural Property
Gilded-bronze mirror
From Saizon tumulus, 6th century
Asagiri Town Board of Education (held by the Kumamoto City
Art Museum)
The Sagara Clan Prayed to this Buddha
The Sagara Clan Prayed to this Buddha

Important Cultural Property
Important Cultural Property
Amitabha Buddha, 13th century
Ganjō-ji Temple, Kumamoto
A Heavenly King Revived from Disaster
A Heavenly King Revived from Disaster

Hitoyoshi City Designated Cultural Property
Image of a bodhisattva (known as honji-butsu), dated
1610
Aoi Aso Shrine, Hitoyoshi City
A Princess’ Prayers for Divine Protection
A Princess’ Prayers for Divine Protection

Kumamoto Pref. Designated Cultural Property
Relic container, 17th century
Tōrin-ji Temple, Kumamoto
Higo Family Documents Solve a Mystery from History
Higo Family Documents Solve a Mystery from History

Missive issued by Toyotomi Hideyoshi
Documents of the Higo-Munakata Family,
dated 1586
Taragi Town Board of Education, Kumamoto
Edo-Period Scenery of Hitoyoshi Kuma
Edo-Period Scenery of Hitoyoshi Kuma

Illustrated map of villages along the Kuma River, 20th
century
Hitoyoshi City Board of Education (formerly owned by Mr.
Shigemi Nishi)
Events
Please note that the events below will be held in
Japanese only.
No registration required, First-come, first-served
Relay Lectures
② 30 November 2024 (Sat)
No registration required, Free admission
Museum Talk
* However, visitors must have Cultural Exchange Exhibition admission tickets
No registration required, First-come, first-served
Unsun Karuta Card Game
② 14:00–15:30
No registration required, First-come, first-served
Screening of the film Summer Sky Dance, Directed by Uchimura Teruyoshi
② 1 December 2024 (Sun)