Tokugawa Art Museum

**Museum Overview** A hall representing Japanese daimyo culture, housing and displaying a major collection of daimyo treasures passed down to the Owari Tokugawa clan, foremost of the Tokugawa branch families. Founded in 1935 (Showa 10) by the 19th lord, Marquis Tokugawa Yoshichika, to publicly present the family heirlooms. The collection comprises approximately 10,000 items, including 9 National Treasures and 59 Important Cultural Properties, comprehensively encompassing the material culture of daimyo life—armor, tea ceremony utensils, noh costumes, calligraphy and painting, and furnishings.

**Sword Collection** The sword collection ranks among the finest in Japan in both quality and quantity. Beginning with the "Namazu-o Fujishiro" (Important Cultural Property, by Awataguchi Yoshimitsu), treasured by Tokugawa Ieyasu, and the "Monoyoshi Sadamune" (Important Cultural Property), successive lords preserved renowned blades that bear witness to the Tokugawa martial tradition. The Important Cultural Property "Tachi signed Rai Kunitoshi, 23rd day of the 10th month of Showa 2" is exceptionally valuable as a dated work by the master smith Rai Kunitoshi of the Rai school, exemplifying the refined style of the Yamashiro tradition. Additionally, celebrated blades such as the "Goto Fujishiro" and "Namazu-o Fujishiro" are held, making this collection a dream lineup for sword enthusiasts.

**Sword Fittings and Craftsmanship** The display of sword fittings and mountings is comprehensive, allowing close appreciation of formally decorated tachi and uchigatana fittings befitting a daimyo house. Visitors can savor the pinnacle of the metalwork arts surrounding the sword—the precise metal techniques of the fittings and the makie-decorated scabbards. The special sword exhibitions and curated shows held several times a year occasionally display treasures not normally open to the public; check the official website in advance for exhibition schedules.

**Tale of Genji Scroll Paintings** One of the greatest highlights is the National Treasure "Tale of Genji Scroll Paintings." Known worldwide as the oldest extant Genji Monogatari emaki, the luxury of appreciating this pinnacle of Heian court culture alongside the sword collection is an experience unique to the Tokugawa Art Museum. The adjacent Japanese garden "Tokugawa Garden" is a fine stroll garden in the pond-and-stream style, offering scenic beauty in all seasons. A combined ticket for the museum and garden is economical.