The Mobile Edo-Tokyo Museum hosts traveling exhibitions and workshops in various locations in Tokyo. Coming up, as a special project, we will hold a travelling exhibition on Izu Oshima. Panels, models, and hands-on exhibits will be used to inform visitors about permanent exhibitions that are currently closed due to renovation work. Take a look at the bustle of Edo (the former name for Tokyo), the city that has survived disasters and epidemics to this day, and the lives of the people living there. In addition, as a special feature, we will showcase exhibits related to Oshima in the museum’s collection via panels.

Outline of event

Period	Saturday, May 20, 2023 to Sunday, May 28, 2023 Open every day during the exhibition period
Venue	Oshima Town Development General Center (Oshima Town Office) 2nd Floor Large Assembly Room 1-1-14 Motomachi, Oshima-cho, Tokyo 100-0101
Hours	9:30 – 17:30 (Last admission 17:00)
Organized by	Tokyo Metropolitan Edo-Tokyo Museum operated by Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture
Supported by	Oshima Town Board of Education
Admission	Free
Contact	Tokyo Metropolitan Edo-Tokyo Museum Renewal Preparation Room TEL：03-3626-9974(main), FAX：03-3626-8001

Highlights of the exhibition

1. Giant banners featuring large models from permanent exhibition rooms and exhibits from the museum collection

One of the attractions of the museum’s permanent exhibition is that it makes you feel as if you’ve slipped back in time with a variety of exhibits and meticulously reproduced models. Two-meter-wide banners showcase models and materials that are representative of exhibits in the museum, so that visitors can enjoy the atmosphere of the permanent exhibition.

 

2. Special showing of hands-on exhibits and models only available for viewing in the permanent exhibition room

The exhibit will feature a reproduction of a box of 1,000 pieces of gold that you can hold and feel the weight of, as well a model of a soba stall from the Edo period.

If you look inside the soba stall, you’ll see bowls and colanders for serving soba noodles, as well as kettles, charcoal braziers, and buckets for cooking.

Special feature

Island Life and Tourism Development: The Edo-Tokyo Museum Collection

From the end of the Meiji era, a regular sea route to the Izu Islands was opened, and Oshima began to attract attention as a tourist destination in the wake of the big hit “Habu no Minato,” a song released in 1928 (Showa 3). Camels and donkeys were introduced into the desert tourism of Mt. Mihara, which is known for gojinka, or divine eruptions, and tourist facilities were developed. Many postcards were produced depicting the natural features, manners, and customs of Oshima. Panels will be used to showcase prints, picture postcards, pamphlets, and other exhibits from the museum’s collection.

Hands-on Area

Kabuki sounds: Experience accompanying instruments

Visitors can actually experience the musical instruments used for sound effects and background music in Kabuki.

 

Play old sugoroku, a traditional board game

Many sugoroku games were created as supplements for children’s magazines. Take a closer look at the kinds of pictures drawn while actually playing the game.

Related event [No pre-registration required]

The Sounds of Showa: Gramophone Concert (about 30 minutes)

A hand-cranked gramophone will play SP records.

May 20, 2023 (Sat.) 10:00～
May 26, 2023 (Fri.) 15:30～

 

Touch it! Black rotary-dial telephone

Turn the dial of a black rotary-dial telephone.

May 20, 2023 (Sat.) 14:00～15:00
May 27, 2023 (Sat.) 14:00～15:00
Participation possible at any time

 

Touch it! Helmet and armor (replicas)

Ingenious designs went into helmets and armor to protect wearers’ bodies while allowing movement. Take a closer look by touching the replicas.

May 21, 2023 (Sun.) 10:30～11:30
May 28, 2023 (Sun.) 10:30～11:30

 

Exhibition commentary (about 30 minutes)

Our curator will showcase the highlights at the venue.

May 21, 2023 (Sun.) 15:00～
May 27, 2023 (Sat.) 10:00～