Yatsushiro City Museum, Mirai no Mori Museum

Overview

The Yatsushiro City Museum, Mirai no Mori Museum, is a municipal museum located in Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture. Opened in 1991, it was designed by the world-famous architect Toyo Ito, known for numerous prestigious buildings including the Taiwan University Social Science Building and the National Taichung Theater. Yatsushiro possesses a unique character, combining a predominantly rural landscape with the features of a castle town that flourished around Yatsushiro Castle, completed in the early Edo period. The museum presents the history and lives of Yatsushiro's people through exhibits ranging from ancient pottery excavated locally to contemporary materials. The collection includes heirlooms from the Matsui family, former lords of Yatsushiro Castle; Yatsushiro-yaki (Takada-yaki) pottery; Higo Tsuba (sword guards); Miyaji Washi paper; somekawa (dyed leather); artifacts from burial mounds and castle ruins; materials related to the Myoken Festival; a model of Yatsushiro Castle; and historical documents from various periods. A particularly noteworthy exhibit is a collection of dolls recreating the Edo-period procession of the Yatsushiro Myoken Festival, which is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The museum also serves as a venue for local artists to showcase their works. Seasonal special exhibitions featuring outstanding artwork and rediscoveries of Yatsushiro's past are held throughout the year and are always well-received. The Yatsushiro City Museum, Mirai no Mori Museum, is a highly recommended sightseeing spot for a deep understanding of Yatsushiro's rich history and culture.