Osaka Museum of History to Hold Special Exhibition "New Acquisitions Unveiling Exhibition"

Since its opening, the Osaka Museum of History has made it its basic policy to widely introduce the history and culture of the Osaka-centered region to its citizens and deepen their understanding. The collection of materials in line with this basic policy is also the foundation of the museum's activities, and every year, the museum stores various materials donated by citizens and utilizes them for research and exhibitions.

This exhibition will introduce approximately 50 items, mainly previously unexhibited ones, from the many donated items that became new museum collections in the Reiwa 7th fiscal year.

**Main Exhibition Materials**

* **Calligraphy by Tanaka Kaido, "Living for Kana" (Tanaka Kaido Sho "Kana ni Ikite") Showa period, Collection of Osaka Museum of History**
* The museum received a total of 502 donated items, including works by calligrapher Tanaka Kaido (1896-1976) and historical materials collected by Kaido. Kaido self-studied kana and ancient calligraphy, and the collection of materials he gathered as part of his research spans a wide range, including ancient to early modern period sutra transcriptions, waka poem fragments, and letter fragments. Furthermore, he became one of the people who expanded the expression of calligraphy with dynamic "large-character kana."
* This item is a two-fold screen on which he inscribed his own poem. The teacher mentioned is Kawatani Shotei (1886-1933). Shotei suggested to Kaido, "Why don't you try large-character kana?" As this poem suggests, Kaido dedicated his life to the study of kana and pioneered a new path in calligraphy. It is a poem that conveys the strong will of the calligrapher Kaido.
* **[Interpretation]**
Living for kana, my teacher told me to do large characters; I follow that path after my teacher is gone.

* **Actor's Picture Postcard: Kamiji of Nakamura Ganjiro I, painted by Yoshikawa Kanpo (Yakushae Ehagaki Shodai Nakamura Ganjiro no Kamiji Yoshikawa Kanpo Ga) Taisho to early Showa period, Collection of Osaka Museum of History (Donated by Ms. Morinishi Mayumi)**
* The Kabuki-related materials donated by Ms. Morinishi Mayumi, a researcher and critic of Kamigata performing arts, are a collection of materials that tell the story of Nakamura Ganjiro I (1860-1935), including rare items such as containers for "Ganjiro Ame" (Ganjiro candy). This item is a postcard depicting Nakamura Ganjiro I, painted by Yoshikawa Kanpo (1894-1979), a painter who was also involved in the historical research of stages and costumes at Shochiku. It is a large-head portrait of Jihei the paper merchant, his signature role in "Kawasho."

* **Obayashi Corporation 50th Anniversary Commemorative Item: "Yoseiyu Hakkaku Kazari Zara" (Kiln-fired Celadon Octagonal Decorative Plate) Showa 17 (1942), Collection of Osaka Museum of History (Donated by Mr. Kashiwabara Takuyuki)**
* This is a decorative plate produced to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Obayashi Corporation. It depicts the Obayashi Corporation head office (now Le Pont de Ciel Building) as seen from Nakanoshima in the center, surrounded by pine, bamboo, plum, and the oak leaf crest of the Obayashi family. The five "ten" characters arranged up, down, left, and right represent 50 years. This item was produced by Taizan Pottery in Higashikujo, Kyoto, and has the inscription "Founded 1892, 50th Anniversary, Obayashi Corporation" and "Taizan" on the back.

* **Half-cut Tile with Floral Arabesque Pattern (Hansai Hanakarakusamon Nokihirogawara) Collected from Yodo River riverbed (Higashiyodogawa Ward, Osaka City - Yakushido Haiji) Heian period (11th-12th century), Collection of Osaka Museum of History (Donated by Mr. Etani Hiroshi)**
* There was once a village called Yakushido near the present-day Shibajima area of Higashiyodogawa Ward, but it was relocated due to the Yodo River improvement project in the Meiji era, and its former site became the riverbed. This item is one of a group of relics collected from the Yodo River riverbed and served as an impetus to reveal the existence of multiple riverbed ruins spanning from the present-day Asahi Ward to Higashiyodogawa Ward. It provides an important clue for understanding the distribution and religious practices in the Yodo River basin.
* Furthermore, there is a tradition that the village name "Yakushido" is derived from a temple founded by the eminent monk Gyoki in the Nara period, and its connection with the collected tiles is noteworthy.

**Exhibition Overview**

* **Name:** Special Exhibition "New Acquisitions Unveiling Exhibition"
* **Organizer:** Osaka Museum of History
* **Period:** Wednesday, July 1, 2026 – Monday, September 7, 2026
* **Closed:** Tuesdays; however, open on Tuesday, August 11 (holiday), and the following Wednesday, August 12.
* **Opening Hours:** 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM *Last admission 30 minutes before closing.
* **Venue:** Osaka Museum of History, 8th Floor, Special Exhibition Room
* 4-1-32 Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka 540-0008
* Phone 06-6946-5728 Fax 06-6946-2662
* https://www.osakamushis.jp
* (Nearest Station) Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line/Chuo Line "Tanimachi 4-chome" Station Exit 2/9, Osaka City Bus "Babacho" bus stop.
* **Admission Fee:** Can be viewed with the permanent exhibition admission fee.
* Adults 600 yen (540 yen), High school/University students 400 yen (360 yen)
* *Prices in parentheses are group discounts for 20 or more people.
* *Free for junior high school students and younger, Osaka City residents aged 65 and over (proof required), and those with disability certificates (including one caregiver).
* **Number of Exhibited Items:** Approximately 50 items
* **Inquiries:**
* Osaka Museum of History, Planning and Public Relations Division, Planning and Public Relations Section
* TEL: 06-6946-5728 FAX: 06-6946-2662
* 4-1-32 Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka 540-0008