Guida
The Hijikata Toshizo Memorial Museum is a private museum located in Hino City, Tokyo. It stands on the site of the former residence of Hijikata Toshizo, the famous Vice Commander of the Shinsengumi. The museum is operated by the descendants of the children of Toshizo's elder brother. In this place, which retains the atmosphere of the residence where the Hijikata family once lived, visitors can find precious materials regarding Toshizo's life and his daily existence in Hino. Through these exhibits, you can experience the journey of a single warrior and the living culture of that era.
The main building was originally the residence of the Hijikata family, where Toshizo lived until he moved to Kyoto at the age of 29. The structure remained largely unchanged until 1990, after which a portion of the site was opened to the public as a museum during a reconstruction process. The museum opened on May 11, 1994, to coincide with the anniversary of Hijikata Toshizo's death, and the history has been preserved by successive generations of the family. Although there was a period of long-term closure in 2022, the museum resumed operations in 2024 to celebrate its 30th anniversary. The exhibits include not only historical relics but also the family's history and local wisdom.
One of the most significant exhibits is the scabbard (koshirae) of the 'Izumi-no-kami Kanesada,' a designated Tangible Cultural Property of Hino City. This sword, attributed to the 11th-generation Seki Kanesada, is said to have been presented by Matsudaira Katamori, the protector of Kyoto, and was returned to the Hijikata family after Toshizo's death. The blade itself is sometimes displayed for a limited time around the anniversary of his death. Additionally, the 'Toyotama Hakushu' (the poetry collection of his pen name 'Toyotama') is on display, offering a glimpse into his cultural and intellectual side beyond his life as a warrior. In the garden, you can see the bamboo thickets that are said to have been planted when Toshizo was 17 or 18 years old, when he vowed to become a great man and make his name known to the world.
Since the museum is only open on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, it is crucial to check the opening dates before your visit. You can experience the changing seasons through the garden's bamboo and the historical artifacts. Visiting around May, near the anniversary of his death, may provide a unique opportunity as the Izumi-no-kami Kanesada blade is sometimes displayed during this period.
Visitors can experience the spirituality of the late Edo-period samurai and the lifestyle of the Hino region through the exhibits. From the large pillar where Toshizo reportedly practiced sumo moves to the displays of historical medicine boxes used by peddlers, you can touch the intimate details of history that go beyond what is found in textbooks.
Hino City is dotted with other spots related to the Shinsengumi. For a deeper understanding of Hijikata Toshizo and the Shinsengumi, consider visiting the 'Hino City Shinsengumi Hometown History Museum' or the 'Sato Hikogoro Shinsengumi Museum,' which is managed by the descendants of Toshizo's elder sister.