Nagoya Tokugawa Art Museum Guided Tour

Samurai Through the Tokugawa Family's Collection

Explore the Tokugawa Art Museum, one of Nagoya's premier museums, with a guide. Through the collection inherited by the Owari Tokugawa family over generations, you'll encounter a broader spectrum of samurai than just the warriors we commonly imagine.

Rather than a quick overview of many exhibits, your guide will focus on introducing key pieces on display that day. Through various artifacts such as armor, swords, tea ceremony utensils, Noh costumes and instruments, and paintings, you'll learn about the lifestyle and culture of the samurai class during that era.


From the Battlefield to the Center of Culture and Art

With the advent of the peaceful Edo period, samurai played crucial roles not only as military leaders but also as administrators, intellectuals, and patrons of the arts. Listen to your guide's explanations to understand how tea ceremony utensils, ceremonial items, and artworks demonstrated the authority, refinement, taste, and social status of people at the time. You'll naturally grasp why art and etiquette were as important as martial prowess in samurai society.


Exploring the Tokugawa Family's Culture with National Treasures

One of the key pieces in the collection is the magnificent wedding procession scroll created for the wedding of Chiyohime, the eldest daughter of Tokugawa Iemitsu. By examining the intricate decorations and craftsmanship, you can gain insight into the wedding customs, political relationships, and the lives and culture of women in the upper class at that time.

The Tokugawa Art Museum also houses the Genji Monogatari Emaki (Illustrated Scrolls of the Tale of Genji), a National Treasure. Due to preservation efforts, the actual artwork is displayed only for limited periods, so its availability may vary depending on the exhibition schedule during your visit.