Japan is a country rich in history and culture, but visitors might not expect they can take a step back in time right in the heart of Tokyo. Asakusa, is a district in Tokyo travellers can be transported back hundreds of years.
Asakusa is located alongside the Sumida River and is home to some of Tokyo’s most popular destinations – old and new. It is famed for modern attractions such as the towering Tokyo Skytree and its surrounding historical sites such as the Asakusa Shrine. For travellers interested in Japan’s unique history and culture, here are two museums that should not be missed.
Marvel in the craftsmanship of Japanese swords – Katana
Travellers who are passionate about Japanese history and the Samurai must visit the Japanese Sword Museum. Located along the Sumida River and close to the main attractions of Asakusa, this specialised museum is dedicated to the art of Japanese sword making and offers insight into the history of Japanese weaponry.
Japan’s ‘Katana’ (swords) have been renowned by historians for their strength and high quality. Swords were seen as a status symbol in Japan and were used by the Samurai nearly 800 years before the introduction of firearms.
Although many of the country’s swords were destroyed, the museum’s collection contains swords recognised for their importance and cultural value to the weapon’s history.
A modern tribute to one of Japan’s most famous Historical Artists
Even those who don’t know his name will have seen the iconic panting, the ‘Great Wave’, which was painted by Katsushika Hokusai. The Sumida Hokusai Museum is dedicated to the life and artwork of the Ukiyo-e woodblock print master, Katsushika Hokusai.
The museum hosts a permanent collection of his works, as well as seasonal exhibitions showcasing famous pieces. In addition, the museum has a miniature model of his studio which allows a peek into the world of one of Japan’s most famous artists.
Hokusai’s works are known to have had a strong influence on renowned western painters such as Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh through introducing them to ‘Japonism’ – the incorporation of Japanese concepts or iconography into various forms of art.
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