土方歳三資料館 館長 土方 愛
----------Introduction
The Hijikata Toshizo Museum was first established in 1994, in response to popular request from nationwide visitors for the public display of his artifacts. The original house was renovated in 1992, and I have, lamentably, become the last generation to have been raised within this household, Toshizo’s birthplace. Members of this museum take care in preserving the artifacts remaining in Toshizo’s birthplace with the hope that his story will be passed down for generations to come, as well as so that people will come to know him not only in historical terms, but also on a more dynamic, personal level. In the front lawn, visitors may see the bamboo trees that Toshizo planted when he was practicing Bushido. At the entrance to the museum, there is the mainstay of original house that, as an adolescent, Toshizo used to practice Sumo. Due to the fact that this museum is privately run and managed by Toshizo’s descendants, we do have limitations of open hours and space. Regardless of this fact, however, we hope to provide the opportunity for visitors to truly engage with Toshizo’s history and to experience his spirit, which lives on in this house.
Hijikata Toshizo Museum Director Megumi Hijikata