Nagasaki Bekkou Kougeikan Nagasaki City Tortoiseshell Crafts Museum (Formerly Nagasaki Customs Kudomatsu Branch)

A large collection of precious tortoiseshell works from all over the country!

[news]
The Tortoiseshell Craft Museum will be closed for approximately two months due to construction work from around November 6 to January 11.
Once the closure dates have been decided, we will announce them on this page.

This is a facility that preserves and utilizes the former Nagasaki Customs Kusarimatsu Branch, which is a nationally designated important cultural property, and exhibits Nagasaki's traditional craft, tortoise shell work, and customs-related materials.

Nagasaki Port was opened as the only point of contact with foreign countries during the period of national isolation, and even after the opening of the country, it remained an important trading port with a customs office. In 1898, the former Nagasaki Customs House Kudamatsu Branch was built as a branch, and in March 1990 it was designated as a national important cultural property. Not only does it have great historical value, as it well conveys the state of customs facilities during the Meiji era, but it also creates an exotic landscape along Oura Kaigan Dori, along with the ``Nagasaki City Former Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Nagasaki Branch Memorial Museum.''

The museum displays approximately 300 precious pieces of tortoiseshell donated by the Japan Tortoiseshell Association, so be sure to come and experience the traditional tortoiseshell craft that has been cultivated through history and tradition.

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Busan Area: Nagasaki city center area (Peace Park, Mt. Inasa, Glover Garden, etc.)

Categories: History/cultural assets Museums, archives, art galleries Culture/Crafts Night view

travel theme: Experience Wakaran culture

Let's find out more! Nagasaki City Tortoiseshell Crafts Museum (Former Nagasaki Customs Kudamatsu Branch)

Pay attention to the high level of Nagasaki tortoiseshell technology!

During the Meiji period, many Russian ships docked at Nagasaki. As they accepted requests from these captains to make models of their ships, Nagasaki's tortoiseshell craftsmen honed their sophisticated techniques. Items made in Edo are also on display for comparison, but at a glance you can see the precision, boldness, and elegance of Nagasaki tortoiseshell.

Main exhibits include a Dutch ship, a sailing ship, a treasure ship, a dragon, a dream hall, an incense box, an imperial carriage, a celestial horse, a carp, a gavel, a spiny lobster, a five-storied pagoda, and a jewelry box.
Raw material for tortoiseshell: Hawksbill turtle

Tortoiseshell craft also moved from Nagasaki to Edo

It is widely known that the raw material for tortoiseshell is the shell of a turtle, but to be more precise, it is actually a type of sea turtle called the hawksbill turtle.
The history of tortoiseshell craft production in Japan is said to be over 300 years old. This tortoiseshell craft has been developed in Nagasaki since ancient times, and even now it is one of the specialty products of the prefecture, with many tortoiseshell shops scattered throughout the prefecture.
In fact, it is said that tortoiseshell craft developed in Nagasaki because the Tokugawa shogunate closed off the country and Nagasaki Port became the only trading port for the Dutch and Chinese, making it easy to obtain raw materials.
Afterwards, the techniques developed in Nagasaki were introduced to Edo and other countries. Nagasaki was also the place where tortoiseshell crafts were introduced.

Basic Information

Address	850-0921 Matsugaedacho, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture 4-33
Phone	095-827-4331
Contact	095-829-1152 Nagasaki City Tourism Policy Division
Opening hours	9:00～17:00
Days Off	12/29-1/3
Prices	Adults 100 yen, elementary and junior high school students 50 yen Group discount (15 people or more) Adults 80 yen Elementary and junior high school students 30 yen *Other discounts available, please check the official website for details.
Transportation access	From Nagasaki Station, take the tram bound for "Sofukuji" and transfer to "Shinchi Chinatown", then take the tram bound for "Ishibashi" and get off at "Oura Cathedral", then walk for about 2 minutes. From JR Nagasaki Station East Exit, take the Nagasaki Bus bound for Tagami/Ohirabashi for about 15 minutes and get off at Oura Cathedral Shita.
Parking	None
Link URL	Japan Tortoiseshell Association (General Incorporated Association) Nagasaki City official website trip advisor Cultural property information for this facility