【Morioka History and Culture Museum】Themed Exhibition "Toyotomi and Nanbu" Now Open
The Morioka History and Culture Museum is currently holding a themed exhibition titled "Toyotomi and Nanbu." It focuses on the relationship between Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the Nanbu family, showcasing valuable ancient documents, with all nine of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's vermilion seal letters on display.
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The Morioka History and Culture Museum is currently holding a themed exhibition titled "Toyotomi and Nanbu" (April 22 - July 20, 2026), showcasing materials that illustrate the relationship between the Toyotomi administration and the Nanbu family.
As Toyotomi Hideyoshi accelerated his efforts to unify the country, becoming Kanpaku and issuing orders for nationwide pacification, Nanbu Nobunao, the head of the Nanbu family (later the ruling family of the Morioka domain) based at Mutsu Province's Sannohe Castle, sought to proactively approach "Tenka-bito" (ruler of the country) Toyotomi Hideyoshi to counter opposing forces inside and outside his domain. With the help of powerful daimyo under the Toyotomi administration, such as Maeda Toshiie and Asano Nagamasa, the Nanbu family strengthened its ties with the Toyotomi government. After Toyotomi Hideyoshi defeated the Odawara Hojo clan, he carried out the Oshu Punishments, dispossessing many daimyo and lords who had been uncooperative during the siege of Odawara. Nanbu Nobunao skillfully navigated this difficult situation using various connections and successfully transitioned into a Toyotomi daimyo. Subsequently, the Nanbu family deepened its exchanges with various Toyotomi daimyo and collaborated to play a part in the administration under the Toyotomi government. This exhibition showcases numerous valuable ancient documents that demonstrate these historical facts. In particular, all nine (including two decrees) of the Toyotomi Hideyoshi vermilion seal letters held by the museum are on display, offering a unique opportunity to appreciate them.
Exhibition scene: The vermilion seal letters of Toyotomi Hideyoshi granted to the Nanbu family during the Tensho to Keicho eras are lined up on an entire wall.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi's vermilion seal letter to Nanbu Nobunao / Tensho 14 (1586), August 12
This document marks the first time the Nanbu family established a friendly relationship with Toyotomi Hideyoshi through Maeda Toshiie's mediation.
Iwate Prefectural Designated Tangible Cultural Property.
A rare document clearly indicating concrete instructions for the Oshu Punishments.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi's vermilion seal letter to Nanbu Nobunao / Tensho 18 (1590), July 27
Toyotomi Hideyoshi's vermilion seal letter to Nanbu Nobunao / Keicho 3 (1598), March 27
This document instructs the transportation of timber necessary for the construction (rebuilding) of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's retirement residence, Fushimi Castle.
Documents showing the interaction between Toyotomi Hidetsugu (Hideyoshi's nephew) and Nanbu Nobunao through the hawk merchant Tanaka Seiroku.
Letter from Toyotomi Hidetsugu to Nanbu Nobunao / (Year unknown), February 26
Letter from Maeda Toshiie to Nanbu Nobunao / Tensho 14 (1586), August 22
An accompanying letter to Toyotomi Hideyoshi's vermilion seal letter to Nanbu Nobunao dated Tensho 14 (1586), August 12. This document marks the beginning of the close relationship between the Nanbu and Maeda families that continued into the Edo period and beyond.
Shows the strong cooperative relationship between Asano Nagamasa, who was responsible for the Oshu Punishments, and Nanbu Nobunao.
Letter from Asano Yoshinaga (Nagamasa) to Nanbu Nobunao / Tensho 18 (1590), November 29
Joint letter from Toyotomi Hideyoshi's magistrates to Nanbu Toshinao / (Year unknown), December 2
Signed by Asano Yoshinaga, Natsuka Masaie, Ishida Mitsunari, and Masuda Nagamori, among the so-called Toyotomi Five Magistrates.
Letter from Date Masamune, who had been granted the surname Hashiba by the Toyotomi administration. Related document to the Waga-Iwasaki uprising.
Letter from Date Masamune to Nanbu Toshinao / Keicho 6 (1601), August 13
Morioka History and Culture Museum
Morioka: Castle and Castle Town Field Museum
A town museum located in a corner of Morioka Castle Site Park. The first floor is free, introducing Morioka's representative festivals and seasonal tourist information. The second-floor exhibition room (paid) displays materials related to the history of the Morioka domain and the ruling Nanbu family.
Location: 1-50 Uchimaru, Morioka, Iwate 020-0023
Phone number: 019-681-2100
URL: https://www.morireki.jp
The Morioka History and Culture Museum is managed by the Morioka History and Culture Museum Revitalization Group (Nomura Co., Ltd., Morioka Tourism Convention Association) as a designated administrator.
As Toyotomi Hideyoshi accelerated his efforts to unify the country, becoming Kanpaku and issuing orders for nationwide pacification, Nanbu Nobunao, the head of the Nanbu family (later the ruling family of the Morioka domain) based at Mutsu Province's Sannohe Castle, sought to proactively approach "Tenka-bito" (ruler of the country) Toyotomi Hideyoshi to counter opposing forces inside and outside his domain. With the help of powerful daimyo under the Toyotomi administration, such as Maeda Toshiie and Asano Nagamasa, the Nanbu family strengthened its ties with the Toyotomi government. After Toyotomi Hideyoshi defeated the Odawara Hojo clan, he carried out the Oshu Punishments, dispossessing many daimyo and lords who had been uncooperative during the siege of Odawara. Nanbu Nobunao skillfully navigated this difficult situation using various connections and successfully transitioned into a Toyotomi daimyo. Subsequently, the Nanbu family deepened its exchanges with various Toyotomi daimyo and collaborated to play a part in the administration under the Toyotomi government. This exhibition showcases numerous valuable ancient documents that demonstrate these historical facts. In particular, all nine (including two decrees) of the Toyotomi Hideyoshi vermilion seal letters held by the museum are on display, offering a unique opportunity to appreciate them.
Exhibition scene: The vermilion seal letters of Toyotomi Hideyoshi granted to the Nanbu family during the Tensho to Keicho eras are lined up on an entire wall.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi's vermilion seal letter to Nanbu Nobunao / Tensho 14 (1586), August 12
This document marks the first time the Nanbu family established a friendly relationship with Toyotomi Hideyoshi through Maeda Toshiie's mediation.
Iwate Prefectural Designated Tangible Cultural Property.
A rare document clearly indicating concrete instructions for the Oshu Punishments.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi's vermilion seal letter to Nanbu Nobunao / Tensho 18 (1590), July 27
Toyotomi Hideyoshi's vermilion seal letter to Nanbu Nobunao / Keicho 3 (1598), March 27
This document instructs the transportation of timber necessary for the construction (rebuilding) of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's retirement residence, Fushimi Castle.
Documents showing the interaction between Toyotomi Hidetsugu (Hideyoshi's nephew) and Nanbu Nobunao through the hawk merchant Tanaka Seiroku.
Letter from Toyotomi Hidetsugu to Nanbu Nobunao / (Year unknown), February 26
Letter from Maeda Toshiie to Nanbu Nobunao / Tensho 14 (1586), August 22
An accompanying letter to Toyotomi Hideyoshi's vermilion seal letter to Nanbu Nobunao dated Tensho 14 (1586), August 12. This document marks the beginning of the close relationship between the Nanbu and Maeda families that continued into the Edo period and beyond.
Shows the strong cooperative relationship between Asano Nagamasa, who was responsible for the Oshu Punishments, and Nanbu Nobunao.
Letter from Asano Yoshinaga (Nagamasa) to Nanbu Nobunao / Tensho 18 (1590), November 29
Joint letter from Toyotomi Hideyoshi's magistrates to Nanbu Toshinao / (Year unknown), December 2
Signed by Asano Yoshinaga, Natsuka Masaie, Ishida Mitsunari, and Masuda Nagamori, among the so-called Toyotomi Five Magistrates.
Letter from Date Masamune, who had been granted the surname Hashiba by the Toyotomi administration. Related document to the Waga-Iwasaki uprising.
Letter from Date Masamune to Nanbu Toshinao / Keicho 6 (1601), August 13
Morioka History and Culture Museum
Morioka: Castle and Castle Town Field Museum
A town museum located in a corner of Morioka Castle Site Park. The first floor is free, introducing Morioka's representative festivals and seasonal tourist information. The second-floor exhibition room (paid) displays materials related to the history of the Morioka domain and the ruling Nanbu family.
Location: 1-50 Uchimaru, Morioka, Iwate 020-0023
Phone number: 019-681-2100
URL: https://www.morireki.jp
The Morioka History and Culture Museum is managed by the Morioka History and Culture Museum Revitalization Group (Nomura Co., Ltd., Morioka Tourism Convention Association) as a designated administrator.