Directory of sanadamarus in Modern Osaka:Listening to the Stories of Creators

Special Exhibition : 2016 NHK Historical Drama “Sanada Maru”

September 17 (Sat.) to November 6 (Sun.)



Overview of the exhibition

The Osaka Museum of History will hold a special exhibition titled “2016 NHK Historical Drama ‘Sanada Maru’” in the Special Exhibition Hall on the 6th floor from September 17 (Sat.) to November 6 (Sun.), 2016.

Sanada Nobushige (better known as Sanada Yukimura), the main character of the 2016 NHK historical drama “Sanada Maru,” was the second son born into the Sanada clan – a family that survived the upheavals of the Warring States period by serving several strong military lords. Guided by their father, Masayuki, Nobushige and his elder brother, Nobuyuki, grew up as samurai warriors together. In the decisive Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Nobushige joined the western forces led by Ishida Mitsunari and succeeded in fighting off the eastern forces led by Tokugawa Hidetada at Ueda Castle in present-day Nagano Prefecture. However, the Battle of Sekigahara ended in the defeat of the western forces, and Masayuki and Nobushige were put under house arrest in Kudoyama at the foot of Mt. Koya in present-day Wakayama Prefecture.

Nobushige then faced a major turning point in his life: the Siege of Osaka – the last of the battles undertaken by the Tokugawa shogunate against the Toyotomi clan. Nobushige entered Osaka Castle and sided with the Toyotomi clan. In the Winter Campaign, the first stage of the Siege of Osaka in 1614, he built a fortress called Sanada Maru in the southeast corner of Osaka Castle, and from there, defeated Tokugawa’s forces. In the Summer Campaign, the second stage that took place in the following year, Nobushige fought a valiant battle against Tokugawa’s forces with limited troops, and though he was defeated in this battle, a record says that the bravery he demonstrated in the battle was so great that even Tokugawa Ieyasu felt his life was at risk.

Held in conjunction with the NHK historical drama “Sanada Maru,” this exhibition is designed to help visitors gain a deeper understanding of Nobushige’s personality and life, by showcasing artifacts from his life and relevant historical materials, which include six national treasures, five important cultural properties, and materials that have been newly discovered and not been shown to the public before, as well as artifacts that can be seen only in the Osaka Museum of History.



Special Exhibition : 2016 NHK Historical Drama “Sanada Maru”
Organizers Osaka Museum of History, NHK Osaka Broadcasting Center, Kinki Branch Office of NHK PlanNet Inc., The Yomiuri Shimbun
Supporting organizations Nissha Printing Co., Ltd., House Foods Group Inc., Mizuho Bank, Ltd.
Special cooperation Osaka Castle Museum, The Sanada Treasures Museum (Nagano City)
Exhibition period September 17 (Sat.) to November 6 (Sun.), 2016
*Closed on Tuesdays
Hours 09:30-17:00 (Fridays during the exhibition period 09:30-20:00)
*Please enter 30 minutes prior to closing.
Exhibition space 6th floor, special exhibition room
Admission fees
Special exhibition only Advance ticket Advance pair tickets offered at discount Permanent and special exhibition
Adults JPY 1,300 (1,170) JPY 1,100 JPY 2,000
per two adults
JPY 1,770 (1,710)
High school /
university students
JPY  900 (810) JPY 700 _ JPY 1,210 (1,170)

*The fees in brackets indicate prices for those in groups of 20 people or more.

*Admission is free for junior high school-aged and younger children, and individuals with a disability certificate (plus one accompanying person).

*Unlike most other special exhibitions, this exhibition requires citizens of Osaka aged 65 years and older to pay the adult admission fee, though admission to the permanent exhibition is free. (A document certifying citizenship and age should be presented.)

*Advance tickets and pair tickets are sold at Osaka Museum of History and major ticket agencies from July 1 (Fri.) to September 16 (Fri.), 2016.

*Pair tickets are available for adults only. They can be used by one person for two admissions to the exhibition.

Number of exhibits 177 (Exhibits will be changed during the exhibition period.)