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Exhibition
Sakamoto Ryoma Wednesday, July 23 to Sunday, August 31, 2008 The Collections Hall, Galleries 13 and 17 Sakamoto Ryoma (1835-1867), the loyalist at the end of the Tokugawa period, is perhaps among the most famous historical figures in Japan. The Kyoto National Museum has held several exhibitions on materials related to him from its collection over the years. This feature highlights Ryoma's letters and personal belongings as well as objects concerning his trading company Kaientai and the bakumatsu period (at the end of the Edo period (1615-1867), which also marked the end of the Tokugawa regime). @@This year's NHK historical drama series Atsu Hime ("Princess Atsu") is based a story that takes place in Satsuma Province during the bakumatsu era. One of the main characters is Princess Atsu's childhood friend Kimotsuki Naogoro, who later became the chief retainer of the Satsuma clan, Komatsu Tatewaki (1835-1870) who was also closely connected to Sakamoto Ryoma (incidentally, Princess Atsu, Komatsu Takewaki, and Ryoma were all born in the same year). Komatsu Tatewaki's name can be found in a letter by Ryoma to his sister Otome in Tosa, dated around the fourth month of 1867, from the museum's collection. A passage in this letter reads: "We were desperate with the problem how to come up with 7800 ryo last year, when this man named Komatsu Tatewaki of Satsuma Province appeared to us, thanks to the gods and buddhas." This indicates that Komatsu put up a large sum of money to save Ryoma with his financial problem. @@This year marks 140 years since the Meiji Restoration, which signifies a critical turning point in Japanese history, and commemorative exhibitions are being held throughout Japan. The special feature at the Kyoto National Museum highlights various works related to the Battle of Toba Fushimi, which took place in the first month of 1868, such as the large handscroll Battle of Toba Fushimi by Endo Asai. The town of Fushimi became a battlefield during this time and much of the area, including the Teradaya Inn that Ryoma frequented, burned down. This battle (Boshin War) between the bakufu loyalists and imperialists was historically significant in marking the beginning of Japan's modern history.
Important Cultural Property
Sketch of the Fushimi Toba Battle (detail) |
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