Nagasaki Customs Shimo-matsu Branch Office (Nagasaki City Tortoise-shell Craft Museum)

Overview

The Nagasaki City Tortoise-shell Craft Museum is housed in the former Nagasaki Customs Shimo-matsu Branch Office, a Meiji-era structure designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Nagasaki Port served as Japan's sole window to the outside world during the sakoku period and flourished as a major trading port after the country opened its doors. The customs office played a vital role in this history. This building, constructed in 1898 (Meiji 31), functioned as a branch of the Nagasaki Customs. It's a single-story brick building with a beautiful Western-style appearance. As a precious remaining example of a Meiji-era customs facility, it holds significant historical value. Inside, you can learn about the history and techniques of Nagasaki's traditional tortoise-shell craft. Tortoise-shell has long been prized as a material for ornaments and crafts, and tortoise-shell crafting has flourished in Nagasaki since the Edo period. The museum displays approximately 300 precious tortoise-shell artifacts donated by the Japan Tortoise-shell Association. The intricate carvings and beautiful hues of these pieces are captivating. Materials related to the customs office are also on display, offering insights into the trade practices and the work of customs officials of that time. While Meiji-era trade differed greatly from today's, these materials deepen understanding of the society and culture of that period. The Nagasaki City Tortoise-shell Craft Museum is a valuable place to experience history, culture, and traditional crafts. Be sure to visit when you're in Nagasaki.