Our TV ad is out now!
Information
Exhibition Period |
|---|
20 January (Tue)–15 March (Sun) 2026
|
Tickets |
|
|---|---|
| Adults | 2,000 (1,800) yen |
| University students | 1,200 (1,000) yen |
| High school students/under-18s | FREE |
*Tickets include entry into the Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall on Floor 4.
*University students MUST present their student ID cards.
- High school students and those under age 18
- Those with disabilities and up to one (1) accompanying caretaker
- Those with complimentary tickets
- Kyushu National Museum Friend of the Museum Pass Holders
- Kyushu National Museum Member’s Premium Pass Holders
- Kyushu National Museum Supporters
- Special Supporters and Supporters of the National Institutes for Cultural
- Heritage (NICH)
- ICOM Members
- Japanese Association of Museums Members
Tickets/List of Works
Advance-sale tickets are available until 19 January (Mon) 2026 from these vendors:
● ARTNE Ticket Online (no
handling fees)
●
Lawson Ticket (L-code 82094) (no handling fees if purchased
directly from Loppi)
●
Seven Ticket (Seven code
112-405) [no handling fees]
* (if purchased directly from the in-store multi-use copy
machine)
*If handling fees apply, they will range from 110 to 330
yen.
●
Tenjin Commuter Pass Sales Office (Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station,
Solaria Stage Building Floor 1; no handling fees)
●
Kyushu National Museum Shop (except when closed, no handling
fees)
Regular tickets are available 20 January-15 March 2025 from these vendors:
● ARTNE Ticket Online (no
handling fees)
●
Lawson Ticket (L-code 82094) (no handling fees if purchased
directly from Loppi)
●
Seven Ticket (Seven code
112-405) [no handling
fees]
* (if purchased directly from the in-store multi-use copy
machine)
*If handling fees apply, they will range from 110 to 330 yen.
● Kyushu National Museum
ticketing counters and machines (Floor 1)
- Once purchased, tickets cannot be refunded. Reselling
tickets is forbidden.
- The advance-sale ticket discount does not apply after the Special Exhibition starts.
- To avoid overcrowding, visitors may be asked to wait before entering the gallery.
Hyakumonogatari
Tote Bag & Goods Set Ticket
Along with admission, this special advance-sale ticket includes a tote bag decorated with the work, Illustration of Monsters from Hyakumonogatari (Hundred Tales of Monsters) on display.
3,600 yen (including tax)
Available only while stocks last
Sold by: Lawson Ticket (L code: 82094)
*The sales period runs until 19 January (Mon) 2026.
*This offer ends once the allocated tickets are sold.
*When purchasing e-tickets online, various fees may apply.
*Please receive your goods at the sales and reception counter on
Floor 3.
● Organizers:
Kyushu National Museum and Fukuoka Prefecture, Nishinippon Shimbun, TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting Co., Ltd, Nishinippon Shimbun Event Services
● Co-organizer:
Kyushu National Museum Promotion Foundation
● Special Cooperation:
Matsura Historical Museum, Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
● Supporters:
Fukuoka City, Dazaifu City, Dazaifu City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dazaifu Tourist Association, Saga Shimbun, Nagasaki Shimbun, Nishi-Nippon Railroad Co., Ltd
● General Inquiries:
050-5542-8600 (Hello Dial, 9:00–20:00 daily, in Japanese only)
Exhibition Highlights
Photography is OK (except some works)
Matsura Seizan
Matsura Hiromu
Part 1 The Story of Seizan: Exchange, Collection, and Research
Part 1 The Story of Seizan: Exchange, Collection, and Research
Seizan was a feudal lord who lived during a flourishing era of historical research. He built a network of cultural figures and collected a wide variety of artifacts. However, his interest was not based on mere antiquarianism; it was underpinned by a passion to accurately discern history from an abundance of materials and to preserve them for posterity. Starting from the works Seizan collected, we explore his approach to historical research and his intellectual curiosity.
Even at age 80, Seizan had such powers of observation!
Even at age 80, Seizan had such powers of observation!
Three Friends
Painted by Naitō Gyōshō, dated 1839
Inscribed by Satō Issai, dated 1840
Matsura Historical Museum, Nagasaki
Displayed Throughout
Seizan's antiquarian friend, Osaka's great collector
Seizan's antiquarian friend, Osaka's great collector
Important Cultural Property Kimura Kenkadō
By Tani Bunchō
Dated 1802
Osaka Prefectural Board of Education
Displayed Jan. 20 (Tue)–Feb. 8 (Sun)
Musashi was a genuine swordsman!
Musashi was a genuine swordsman!
Miyamoto Musashi
Inscribed by Matsura Kiyoshi (Seizan)
19th Century
Matsura Historical Museum, Nagasaki
Displayed Throughout
Were these kappas painted in the “Playful Bird and Beast” style?
Were these kappas painted in the “Playful Bird and Beast” style?
Kawatarō
Attributed to Matsura Kiyoshi (Seizan)
18th–19th century
Matsura Historical Museum, Nagasaki
Displayed Throughout
This humorous Yokai picture book shows Seizan's diverse interests
This humorous Yokai picture book shows Seizan's diverse interests
Illustration of Monsters from Hyakumonogatari
18th–19th century
Matsura Historical Museum, Nagasaki
Displayed Throughout
An important copy of the original form prior to restoration
An important copy of the original form prior to restoration
Illustrated Account of the Mongol Invasion
Volumes 1 & 2: By Itō Kagetada, dated 1796
Description: dated 1799
Matsura Historical Museum, Nagasaki
Displayed Throughout
Part 2 The Story of Hiromu: Remembering his Ancestors; Considering his Descendants
Part 2 The Story of Hiromu: Remembering his Ancestors; Considering his Descendants
Hiromu was a feudal lord who lived in a time of social unrest. Dedicating himself to safeguarding the Matsura family and the Hirado domain, he poured his passion into gathering items related to both, preserving them for future generations. In addition, he imbued these objects with his feelings in the belief that this would serve to protect his family and domain forever. Through the emotions embedded in what he collected and restored, we can see how Hiromu tried to safeguard his descendants and Hirado amidst an uncertain future.
Hiromu was particular about this portrait
Hiromu was particular about this portrait
Matsura Hiromu (in Kariginu robes)
Painted by Ide Toshikatsu, inscribed by Matsura Hiromu
19th century (after 1833)
Matsura Historical Museum, Nagasaki
Displayed Throughout
Why is this warrior of valor depicted all in black?
Why is this warrior of valor depicted all in black?
Watanabe no Tsuna
Painted by a Wada
Dated 1846－47
Matsura Historical Museum, Nagasaki
Displayed in the First Half
A magnificent, vivid peacock painting by a Hirado domain retainer
A magnificent, vivid peacock painting by a Hirado domain retainer
Peacocks
By Jokōshin (Kuma Sadahachi)
19th century
Matsura Historical Museum, Nagasaki
Displayed Throughout
A special set of armor meticulously crafted with unwavering dedication by Hiromu
A special set of armor meticulously crafted with unwavering dedication by Hiromu
Shenlong “Divine Dragon” armor
19th century
Matsura Historical Museum, Nagasaki
Displayed Throughout
This ostrich eggshell was used as a decorative item
This ostrich eggshell was used as a decorative item
Ostrich egg
19th century
Matsura Historical Museum, Nagasaki
Displayed Throughout
An important portrait of the founding lord of Hirado, restored by Hiromu
An important portrait of the founding lord of Hirado, restored by Hiromu
Matsura Shigenobu (Hōin)
16th century
Matsura Historical Museum, Nagasaki
Displayed in the Second Half
Part 3 Special Display: Kaseishūkozu, Illustrated Treasures from the Matsura Family and Hirado
Part 3 Special Display: Kaseishūkozu, Illustrated Treasures from the Matsura Family and Hirado
This work is thought to have been started during Seizan’s lifetime and completed during Hiromu’s era. Its detailed illustrations precisely record the Matsura family's heirlooms and treasured items passed down in Hirado. Alongside the surviving Matsura family treasures, this invaluable resource is now being shown to the public in its entirety for the first time. The aspirations of Seizan and Hiromu, who wished to preserve treasures for posterity, are revived here today.
So meticulously made, you can almost feel the texture of this family heirloom catalog
So meticulously made, you can almost feel the texture of this family heirloom catalog
Kaseishūkozu
18th–19th century
Private collection
Displayed Throughout
Compare this with the book! Even the threads are meticulously recorded... Every single one is a family treasure!
Compare this with the book! Even the threads are meticulously recorded... Every single one is a family treasure!
Nishiki-gire (Fragments of trousers reportedly for Emperor Go-Daigo)
14th century
Matsura Historical Museum, Nagasaki
Displayed Throughout
Reportedly bestowed upon the head of the Matsura family by a Muromachi shogun
Reportedly bestowed upon the head of the Matsura family by a Muromachi shogun
Abdominal armor of suspended crimson, embellished with gold
16th century
Matsura Historical Museum, Nagasaki
Displayed Throughout
Flexible abdominal armor gifted to the Matsura clan by Ōtomo Sōrin
Flexible abdominal armor gifted to the Matsura clan by Ōtomo Sōrin
Belly protector known as Ōtomo Haramaki
16th century
Matsura Historical Museum, Nagasaki
Displayed Throughout
The Matsura Historical Museum
Indoor display
The oldest museum in Nagasaki Prefecture, Matsura Historical Museum marked its 70th
anniversary in October of 2025. It is dedicated to preserving and exhibiting items
passed down through the Matsura family, the former feudal lords of Hirado.
Besides the materials collected by Seizan and Hiromu shown in this exhibition, the
museum houses many other artifacts of historical and cultural value. These include
documents from ancient and medieval Japan, materials related to overseas trade and
Christianity, and objects connected to successive heads and lords of the domain.
This diverse collection attracts many visitors from within and beyond Japan to
Matsura Historical Museum.
Address: 12 Kagamigawa, Hirado, Nagasaki 859-5152
Official English homepage:
www.matsura.or.jp/en/home-2/