Tsushima Museum: Bridging History and Culture

Located in Izuhara, the Tsushima Museum provides an in-depth exploration of the island's past, from the Jomon period to modern times. The museum's exhibits highlight Tsushima's role as a vital point of contact between Japan and mainland Asia, particularly Korea, focusing on themes of trade, diplomacy, and conflict resolution. The museum features a chronological permanent exhibition that begins with a 17th-century map of the island. Visitors can explore artifacts from various periods, including earthenware, arrowheads, and decorative glass beads. Replicas of ceremonial bronze spearheads are available for visitors to touch. Exhibits also showcase Korean pottery, documents related to Tsushima's commercial relations, and official seals used by the So family, the daimyo lords of Tsushima. These artifacts offer insights into the island's complex history and its function as a strategic and cultural intermediary. On the second floor, the Nagasaki Prefectural Research Center for the History of Tsushima preserves and researches historical documents from the So family's library. This collection of approximately 80,000 items provides a window into centuries of life on the island. The museum also addresses Tsushima's more recent history, including the Battle of Tsushima in 1905 and the wedding of Sō Takeyuki to Princess Deokhye of Korea in 1931. The museum building itself is located on the site of Kaneishi Castle, adding historical significance to the location.