Two 'Kumamoto Castles': The Toyotomi Shock and the End of Sengoku Higo

About this event

The unknown 'other Kumamoto Castle' is now revealed in the autumn special exhibition 'Two Kumamoto Castles: The Toyotomi Shock and the End of Sengoku Higo,' held in the Special Exhibition Room on the 2nd floor of Kumamoto City Museum. While Kumamoto Castle is strongly associated with Kato Kiyomasa, castle construction by Kiyomasa was actually carried out twice in different locations. This exhibition shines a spotlight on 'Kumamoto Old Castle' (now the area around Prefectural Daiichi High School), which was the predecessor of the current Kumamoto Castle yet remained hidden in the shadows of history. Following the Kyushu Pacification, Higo was incorporated under the Toyotomi administration; you can experience through excavation results and detailed diorama models the shock of an advanced castle equipped with stone walls and roof tiles suddenly appearing—completely different from the previous 'earthen castles.' Pay attention to three key items: trade ceramics telling the story of medieval logistics, roof tiles and stone walls heralding the dawn of early modern castle construction, and gold leaf roof tiles symbolizing authority. Excavated artifacts including Nationally Designated Important Cultural Properties will also be exhibited. Related events scheduled to be held include a lecture by model maker Mitsuru Shima, a site tour guided by a curator, a bus tour visiting the Amakusa Sengoku Museum, and a symposium inviting experts.

Venue

Kumamoto City Museum

3-2 Furukyomachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, Kumamoto 860-0007