The Restoration Period of Japan Learned through Kuroda Family’s Artifacts

Ishin is a Japanese word which means “to renew everything”. The word may remind you of a term “Meiji Ishin”, a historical event in which the Edo Bakufu Central Government collapsed and was replaced by the Meiji Government.

2018 marks the 150th year anniversary of The Meiji Ishin. This exhibition describes how the Meiji Ishin impacted Kuroda Samurai Family by showing some articles owned by the family from the end of the Edo period to Meiji Ishin period.


Kuroda Nagahiro, a lord of the Fukuoka Clan, is a son of Shimazu Shigenori, the 8th Daimyo feudal lord of the Kagoshima Clan. Shigenori is well-known for his inclination to everything about Holland. Nagahiro had a huge interest in Western study being influenced by both his biological father,  Shigenori and his adoptive father, Narikiyo.

In 1849, Nagahiro sent out some members of the clan to Nagasaki, in order to learn Western study. In 1855, he also sent his clan members to a Naval training center located in Nagasaki to learn how to handle and create military ships. This exhibition introduces some more good examples of Nagahiro’s attempt at  acquiring Western knowledge and technology.

Posted by Takamura