Special Exhibition:
Pinnacle of Elegance: Sword Fittings of the Mitsumura Collection
January 27 (Sat.) to March 18 (Sun.), 2018
Overview of the exhibition
The Osaka Museum of History will hold a special exhibition titled “Pinnacle of Elegance: Sword Fittings of the Mitsumura Collection” in the Special Exhibition Hall on the 6th floor from January 27 (Sat.) to March 18 (Sun.), 2018.
Sword fittings are metal parts affixed to koshirae (sword mountings). During the Edo period, sword fittings became increasingly decorative, gorgeous and elaborate, so much so that it is difficult to believe that they are made of metal.
Mitsumura Toshimo (1877–1955), a successful businessman born in Osaka, was so fascinated by the craftsmanship involved in making swords and sword fittings that he built a large collection of more than 3,000 items and published a pictorial book titled Tagane no Hana (Flowers of the Chisel) which contains masterpiece sword fittings.
In 1909, the ownership of this collection was transferred in its entirety from Mitsumura to Nezu Kaichiro I (1860–1940). Currently, the Nezu Museum, opened to preserve the collection of Nezu Kaichiro I, holds about 1,200 items from the Mitsumura Collection, and remains one of the largest collections of sword fittings in Japan.
Centering on the Mitsumura Collection held by the Nezu Museum, this exhibition will trace the footsteps of Mitsumura Toshimo and explore the world of beauty that fascinated him by showing about 200 items consisting of sword fittings, swords and paintings.
| Special exhibition “Pinnacle of Elegance: Sword Fittings of the Mitsumura Collection” | ||||||||||
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| Organizer | Osaka Museum of History, The Sankei Shimbun, Agency for Cultural Affairs | |||||||||
| Supporting organizations | The Sankei Sports Shimbun, Yukan Fuji, The Sankei Living Shimbun, Osaka Broadcasting Corporation, Kansai Telecasting Corporation | |||||||||
| Exhibition period | January 27 (Sat.) to March 18 (Sun.), 2018.
*Closed on Tuesdays |
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| Hours | 09:30-17:00 (Fridays during the exhibition period 09:30-20:00) *Please enter 30 minutes prior to closing. |
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| Venue | Special Exhibition Hall on the 6th floor, Osaka Museum of History access | |||||||||
| Admission fees |
*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.) |
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| Number of exhibits | Approx. 200 | |||||||||