Mori Ogai Memorial Museum

Mori Ogai is a great writer of the Meiji Period who had a strong connection with Bunkyo-ku. He had lived in Sendagi with his family for 30 years. To honor the 150th anniversary of his birth, Mori Ogai Memorial Museum was established on the former site of his residence “Kancho-Ro.”

“Kancho-Ro” was located on Dango-zaka. The building was destroyed by fire and war. However, cornerstone and flagstone at the former main gate and a symbol tree of Ginko still remain there today.

The museum has not only Ogai’s manuscripts, letters and belongings but also research materials and precious books about him. To tell his charm as a writer, critic and military surgeon, there are a permanent collection exhibition and four special exhibitions through the year.

The permanent collection is displayed on the wall of the 1st basement exhibition room. You can see his path through those hand written manuscripts, photos, letters and belongings.

This modern architecture with exposed-concrete was designed by Toki Fumio and it is highly rated among architecture fans.

At present, they hold the exhibition called “The 140th anniversary of the birth and the 60th anniversary of death of Kafu, Nagai Kafu and Mori Ogai” until January 13th, 2020. They both had lived abroad and they were connected through Mita Bungaku.

At the center of exhibition room, there is a section of special exhibition that changes four times a year. This section focuses on the relationship between Ogai and the intellectuals related to Bunkyo-ku.

The Mori Ogai Memorial Museum actively try to make people get familiar with Ogai’s work and Japanese literature. They organize public reading going along with the theme of special exhibition, gallery talk by curator introducing detailed background of the exhibition and also guest speaker’s lecture. Even if you are not Ogai’s fan yet, you cannot miss them.

“Morikine plate” is a plate set with corned beef from the well-known local store “Koshizuka,” homemade pickles and German bread. 550 yen

In the facility, the café serves classic German bread like pretzel and schwarzbrot because Ogai had studied in Germany. Sometimes they serve special menu going along with the theme of special exhibition.

You can enjoy looking for a good souvenir at the museum shop

Director of the Museum, Ms. Toko Takahashi.

The director, Ms. Toko Takahashi says, “At this museum, you can see his belongings, documents, the movie in which Ogai actually walked around and historical site. Please come and feel Ogai’s achievements and the atmosphere of his time.”

Would you like to follow the great writer’s steps on your next holiday?

Dec. 2019　Text: Ryoko Kuraishi　Photo: Yasuo Yamaguchi