* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Ryozen Historical Museum (Bakumatsu Ishin Museum)
霊山歴史館
Overview
History
The Ryozen Historical Museum (Bakumatsu Ishin Museum "Ryozen Historical Museum") in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, specializes in the history of the Bakumatsu and Meiji Restoration. In 1968 Matsushita Konosuke, chairman of Matsushita Electric Industrial (now Panasonic), worked with Kansai business leaders to found the Ryozen Kensho-kai, and the museum opened in 1970. Matsushita was the first director, and it is now run by the public interest foundation Ryozen Kensho-kai.
Exhibits
The museum shows relics and documents of the anti-shogunate loyalists and the shogunate-side figures who were active in Kyoto in the final years of the shogunate. According to its official site, the permanent exhibition presents materials from both pro- and anti-shogunate perspectives, centered on Sakamoto Ryoma and on Shinsengumi and shogunate-related items. In its 2019 renewal it acquired 147 items from the Bukei Bunko in Yokohama.
Swords
The first floor has a corner of swords favored by Sakamoto Ryoma, Hijikata Toshizo and Kondo Isami. For sword enthusiasts, the draw is seeing blades associated with Bakumatsu loyalists and Shinsengumi members and feeling the turbulent Kyoto of that era. Details of individual swords and exhibit rotations should be checked against official information before visiting.
Highlights
- First-floor corner of swords favored by Sakamoto Ryoma, Hijikata Toshizo and Kondo Isami
* Opening hours and exhibitions are subject to change. Please check the official website before visiting.