About
Passing through the bustle of Nihonbashi and climbing the stairs of the Muromachi NS Building, one finds a space that transcends time. The walls are adorned with colorful kites, welcoming visitors. Edo kites, handed down since the Edo period, feature images of kabuki characters and heroic warriors, their bold brushwork and vivid colors catching the eye. These kites are the work of Teizo Hashimoto, known as the last Edo kite artist, and their high level of artistry is breathtaking.
Inside the museum, about 3,000 kites collected from all over Japan are on display. The Baramon kite from Nagasaki, with its dynamic design featuring demons and warriors, is flown during the first seasonal festival to pray for children’s growth and family safety. The Nagoya traditional kite is characterized by its complex framework and ink gradation, said to have originated as a hobby for retired samurai. These kites, reflecting the climate and culture of their respective regions, tell the story of Japan’s diverse traditions.
Many overseas kites are also exhibited, with unique designs and shapes from countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, and New Zealand delighting the eye. Particularly, kites modeled after insects are so elaborate that they could be mistaken for the real thing, inspiring admiration for the craftsmen’s skill and ingenuity.
This museum was founded in 1977, based on a collection passionately assembled by Shingo Modeki, the founder of the famous Western-style restaurant Taimeiken. There is also an anecdote that, when he won a cooking competition in France, he flew a Japanese kite at the Eiffel Tower, astonishing the people of Paris. This space, filled with his passion, conveys the depth and beauty of Japanese traditional culture to its visitors.
In the quiet, the kites stand as if waiting for the wind, gently speaking to the hearts of those who visit. This is a place filled with the souls of craftsmen who transcended eras and with a longing for the sky. In a corner of Nihonbashi, such quiet emotion lives on.