Curator Hashiguchi

Today, the Minami-Satsuma City Bonotsu Historical Center overlooks the same vista that Hiroshige made famous.

Through the 13th of January, the center hosted an exhibition entitled Satsuma and Ryukyu, linked by the sea for 400 years, featuring a collection of historical materials on both cultural and commercial exchange between the regions of Satsuma (modern-day Kagoshima Prefecture) and the Ryukyu Islands (now Okinawa). The exhibition, which focusses on grassroots exchange, was made possible by support from The Nippon Foundation.

Ryukyu lacquerware used in banquets

The museum is a modern three-story structure completed in 2004 to replace its predecessor, the ageing History and Folk Museum. Special exhibitions like the Satsuma-Ryukyu one are held on the first floor. The second floor features a standing exhibit depicting the history of Bonotsu. Earlier exhibitions include a series of events on the sea and sea craft, organized by the Nippon Foundation-supported Sea and Sea Craft Museum Network Council.

A banner for the ship, "Chigusa Maru," used by a vassal of the Satsuma clan.

This exhibition opened on October 16, 2009, marking the 400th anniversary of Satsuma-Ryukyu relations, which began rather stormily in 1609, with the Satsuma invasion of what is today Okinawa. This event gave Satsuma control of the islands. The exhibition incorporates a new look at this history, focusing on the cultural and commercial exchange that resulted. It addresses the issue of cultural exchange, showcasing materials from throughout Kagoshima Prefecture. These records include such things as the introduction of the tea ceremony to the Ryukyus, certification for ships traveling from the Ryukyus to Satsuma, and principal images of the Buddha from the collection of Shingon Buddhist temples.

Sythes sent from Satsuma to the Ryukyus

In the area of commercial exchange, the exhibition featured rare items, including unearthed Ryukyu coins, a vessel for awamori rice brandy, a piece of Ryukyu lacquerware, and sythes made by the Kaseda metalworks for use in harvesting sugarcane.

“While it is important to explore history,” says Curator Wataru Hashiguchi, “we decided for this exhibit to focus on exchange among ordinary citizens. Bonotsu is a historic port town, and the outline of the port remains unchanged since the Middle Ages. I encourage everybody to visit our museum.”