Kumamoto Museum of Literature and History
―Tracing Memories of Kumamoto Through Literature and History―
<Table of Contents>
Kumamoto is located in the center of Kyushu and has been a cornerstone of administration, transportation and economy since ancient times. Much literature has been created and inspired by not only the varied history but also the rich natural environment and climate represented by Aso and Amakusa. Both literature and history are guides to know a locality. Let's trace the memory of our hometown Kumamoto through the records transmitted thanks to the tireless efforts of our predecessors.
Map of Higo (former name of Kumamoto) (Middle of the 17th century)
◆ Literatures
We introduce autographed manuscripts and mementos from 32 special Kumamoto literary figures who are the targets of the museum's exhibition and collection.
| Koizumi Yakumo (Lafcadio Hearn) | 1850－1904 | Novelist, essayist, researcher on Japan |
| Tokutomi Soho | 1863－1957 | Journalist, historian |
| Natsume Soseki | 1867－1916 | Novelist, scholar of English literature |
| Inoue Bisho | 1867－1936 | Haiku poet |
| Tokutomi Roka | 1868－1927 | Novelist |
| Togawa Shukotsu | 1871－1939 | Writer, translator, scholar of English literature |
| Shibukawa Genji | 1872－1926 | Journalist, haiku poet |
| Shinohara Ontei | 1872－1926 | Writer, haiku poet |
| Matsuoka Koson | 1879－1904 | Poet, critic |
| Taneda Santoka | 1882－1940 | Haiku poet |
| So Fukan | 1884－1942 | Poet |
| Nagata Hideo | 1885－1949 | Playwright, poet |
| Miyabe Sunao | 1887－1926 | Haiku poet |
| Nagata Mikihiko | 1887－1964 | Novelist |
| Takamure Itsue | 1894－1964 | Poet, researcher of the history of women |
| Oyama Katsukiyo | 1896－1965 | Novelist |
| Tokunaga Sunao | 1899－1958 | Novelist |
| Kurahara Shinjiro | 1899－1965 | Poet |
| Nakamura Teijo | 1900－1988 | Haiku poet |
| Hirakawa Koshin | 1903－1969 | Novelist, poet |
| Hasuda Zenmei | 1904－1945 | Scholar of Japanese literature, poet |
| Koyama Kanji | 1904－1982 | Novelist |
| Ko Haruto | 1906－1988 | Poet, novelist |
| Araki Seishi | 1907－1981 | Novelist, historian |
| Kinoshita Junji | 1914－2006 | Playwright |
| Fuchigami Mosen | 1915－1950 | Poet |
| Yasunaga Fukiko | 1920－2012 | Poet, calligrapher |
| Uemura Sengyo | 1920－1996 | Haiku poet, lacquer craftsman |
| Takezaki Yuhi | 1923－1993 | Writer of children's literature |
| Tanigawa Gan | 1923－1995 | Poet, critic |
| Ishimure Michiko | 1927－2018 | Novelist, poet |
| Mitsuoka Akira | 1932－2004 | Novelist |
Koizumi Yakumo
(Lafcadio Hearn)
Natsume Soseki
Ishimure Michiko
◆ History
We will sequentially display the old documents and maps in the possession of the Prefectural Library. They include the documents of Higo-no-kuni Kenchi Shocho(Kumamoto Land Survey), which is a Kumamoto Prefecture-designated important cultural property, old documents related to the Hitoyoshi domain and its lords Sagara family (Documents of the Sagara Family), Kumamoto Prefectural Kobun-ruisan (Public Documents of Kumamomto) and maps of the Kumamoto domain.
[Main collection]
Higo-no-kuni Kenchi Shocho
(Kumamoto Land Survey)
(※ Kumamoto-prefecture-designated important cultural property)
(1st half of the 17th century)
Documents of the Sagara Family
(Around the middle of the 17th century)
Kumamoto Prefectural Kobun-ruisan
(Public Documents of Kumamoto Prefectural Government)
(Late 19th century)
Maps of the Kumamoto domain
(Late 18th century)
※ Exhibits are sequentially changed.
【Floor Map】
↓To the Library
① Exhibition Room 1
② Exhibition Room 2
③ Exhibition Room 3
④ Lobby
⑤ Vending Machine Room
⑥ Garden of the former villa of the Hosokawa family in Sunatori
◎ Restroom
(Wheelchair-accessible)
【Exhibition Room】
①Exhibition Room 1
Exhibitions are held to introduce the collections of the museum, including old documents and drawings related to Kumamoto and the manuscripts of writers. Special exhibitions are also held here.
② Exhibition Room 2
The history of Kumamoto literature from the 17th century to the present is introduced, along with the historical background.
※ You may not be able to visit when a special exhibition is held.
③ Exhibition Room 3
You can enjoy the view of the garden of the former villa of the Hosokawa family in Sunatori from the large window. There is also a collection of videos related to the literature and history of Kumamoto that you can freely watch.
【Garden of the former villa of the Hosokawa family in Sunatori】
This garden, situated next to the museum, is the garden of the former villa of the Hosokawa family in Sunatori. Cool and clear underground water flowing from Aso rises to the surface here. Kenko-in (Masu), the lawful wife of the 10th lord of the Kumamoto domain Hosokawa Narimori, spent her later years here enjoying this scenery.
After the Seinan War in 1877, the villa in Sunatori changed hands, and went to the Hosokawa Naizen family. Later, from the end of the Taisho Era (around 1925) to the pre-war period (the 1930's), it was used as a restaurant called Ezu Kadan, and was very popular among writers.
The garden has a different appearance from season to season, with plum and cherry blossoms in spring, fireflies in early summer, stunning autumn leaves, and fantastic morning mist (steam) in winter. Relax and enjoy the garden that has been kept as it was when it belonged to the Hosokawa family.
【Nature of Suizenji / Lake Ezu】
You can see many springs near the museum. Lake Ezu, which symbolizes the blessing of the springs, is a man-made lake. Its embankment was created to surround these fresh water springs. The vast landscape of the waterfront has attracted many people.
In the Edo period, the Suizenji Jojuen Garden was constructed as a retreat for the lord. Since the Meiji era, many literary figures have also visited. Natsume Soseki (the novelist), was an English teacher at the Fifth High School (now Kumamoto University). He enjoyed the scenery while drifting down the river in a boat and wrote a number of haiku poems about it. Currently, it is a popular recreation site for Kumamoto citizens.
【Walking trail near the museum】
※ As this map was published on January 28, 2016, it may vary from current conditions.