Visited 14.05.2016 (Sat)
Land of folklore. Travelled to Tono city by SL Ginga SL銀河 and planned to visit only Densyoen 伝承園 and Kappabuchi カッパ淵. However, I completed the tour earlier than planned; made my way to the tourist information center (nearby Tono JR Station 遠野駅) to seek advice from the staff on other places of interest which I should visit in the city. She highly recommended me to visit Tono Folklore Museum 遠野物語の館. Tono is said to be the hometown of folklore as this was the place where many of these stories originated from. The book titled Tono Monogatari 遠野物語 (The Legends of Tono), was published in 1910 by Kunio Yanagita 柳田國男, who is affectionately known as the father of Japanese folklore. The stories included tales about mountain gods, Kappa 河童 (water spirit that pull young children into waters), Tengu 天狗, Zashiki-warashi 座敷童子 (Zashiki-warashi are spirits that lived in a compartment where tatami mats and futons are stored and it is said that the families whose houses have such spirits living in them are blessed with wealth and fortune) and other mythical beings, and these stories were passed down to Kunio Yanagita by Kizen Sasaki 佐々木喜善, a Japanese folkorist from Tono. And thanks to the written records, future generations are able to enjoy these interesting folklore that are unique to Japanese culture and heritage.
Land of folklore. Travelled to Tono city by SL Ginga SL銀河 and planned to visit only Densyoen 伝承園 and Kappabuchi カッパ淵. However, I completed the tour earlier than planned; made my way to the tourist information center (nearby Tono JR Station 遠野駅) to seek advice from the staff on other places of interest which I should visit in the city. She highly recommended me to visit Tono Folklore Museum 遠野物語の館. Tono is said to be the hometown of folklore as this was the place where many of these stories originated from. The book titled Tono Monogatari 遠野物語 (The Legends of Tono), was published in 1910 by Kunio Yanagita 柳田國男, who is affectionately known as the father of Japanese folklore. The stories included tales about mountain gods, Kappa 河童 (water spirit that pull young children into waters), Tengu 天狗, Zashiki-warashi 座敷童子 (Zashiki-warashi are spirits that lived in a compartment where tatami mats and futons are stored and it is said that the families whose houses have such spirits living in them are blessed with wealth and fortune) and other mythical beings, and these stories were passed down to Kunio Yanagita by Kizen Sasaki 佐々木喜善, a Japanese folkorist from Tono. And thanks to the written records, future generations are able to enjoy these interesting folklore that are unique to Japanese culture and heritage.
In the spirit of preserving and promoting these assets, Tono Folklore Museum was set up in the city to provide a platform for visitors to better understand these folklore. Part of museum is housed in a former sake store's warehouse and is divided into three sections. Tono-za 遠野座 is a theater where performing arts and even narration of the folk tales using Tono's dialect are held. There is also an exhibition hall dedicated to Kunio Yanagita. Apart from the displays portraying his biography and career, two places of great significance to him were also introduced. First is Takazen Ryokan 高善旅館, an inn which Kunio Yanagita stayed during his three trips to Tono; the second is his final place of residence 旧柳田國男隠居所 where he spent his sunset years together with his wife in Tokyo, before he passed away on 8 Aug 1962. The latter was donated to Tono city in Aug 1991 and the entire house was disassembled, transported to Tono and rebuilt at its current location.
Interactive. Finally to the highlight of the museum. Mukashibanashi-kura 昔話蔵 is where these traditional folklore are brilliantly presented in various forms of media. Regardless of age, these interactive exhibits will be able to arouse the interest of its audience. Colourful and beautifully illustrated cut out boards, each depicting a story, are put up on display; animated shadow pictures appear right in front of your eyes when the display items are touched; and many other intriguing features for visitors to experience and learn about Tono's folklore. For foreigners like myself, I was delighted to find English translated version of the narration on most of the display boards here which made reading an ease. This is truly a surprise find for me and an excellent place that I will recommend to put into your itinerary if you plan to visit Tono city.
Interactive. Finally to the highlight of the museum. Mukashibanashi-kura 昔話蔵 is where these traditional folklore are brilliantly presented in various forms of media. Regardless of age, these interactive exhibits will be able to arouse the interest of its audience. Colourful and beautifully illustrated cut out boards, each depicting a story, are put up on display; animated shadow pictures appear right in front of your eyes when the display items are touched; and many other intriguing features for visitors to experience and learn about Tono's folklore. For foreigners like myself, I was delighted to find English translated version of the narration on most of the display boards here which made reading an ease. This is truly a surprise find for me and an excellent place that I will recommend to put into your itinerary if you plan to visit Tono city.
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Tono Folklore Museum 遠野物語の館
〒028-0523 岩手県遠野市中央通り2-11
Operating hours: 0900 - 1700 hrs
Admission fee = 500 yen
http://www.city.tono.iwate.jp/index.cfm/48,23855,166,html
How to get there?
(1) By foot. About 8 minutes walk from Tono JR Station 遠野駅.
Tono Folklore Museum 遠野物語の館
〒028-0523 岩手県遠野市中央通り2-11
Operating hours: 0900 - 1700 hrs
Admission fee = 500 yen
http://www.city.tono.iwate.jp/index.cfm/48,23855,166,html
How to get there?
(1) By foot. About 8 minutes walk from Tono JR Station 遠野駅.
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