Explore the History of Seiyo Uwacho at the Uwa Sentetsu Memorial House

• Table of Contents
• What is the Uwa Sentetsu Memorial Museum?
• Three people you should definitely remember
• How to enjoy seasonal exhibits: Hinamatsuri and Tango no Sekku exhibitions
• October 22nd is the Autumn Festival in Unomachi
• Use the rental space
• summary
• [Extra] Kimono rental available at Bunka no Sato Rest Area
• [Extra Character Edition] For those who want to know more

What is the Uwa Sentetsu Memorial Museum?

The Uwa Sentetsu Memorial Museum is a facility that introduces the people who made great contributions to the town of Uwa. You can even experience making medicine as Oine-san (Kusumoto Ine), the first Japanese female doctor.

"Priests" is a word that refers to great men and wise men related to history. The permanent exhibition room introduces people who have made great contributions to Uwa Town. You can also enjoy seasonal exhibits of traditional Japanese events such as Hinamatsuri and Boys' Festival, as well as exhibits of paintings and calligraphy. Rental space is also available.

Three people you should definitely remember

The streets of Unomachi, a nationally designated Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, are known as a "town of history and culture," and are also "flexible in accepting new things." The origin of this is Ninomiya Keisaku, who was a practicing physician in the town during the late Edo period. It was around this time that the townspeople's high awareness of education was cultivated.

Keisaku Ninomiya (1804-1862) Doctor, botanist

Keisaku Ninomiya, a student of Siebold, worked as a Dutch physician (doctor who could perform surgery) in Unomachi for 22 years. He encouraged Ine Kusumoto to become an obstetrician and taught her the basics of medicine. He is also known for opening a medicinal herb garden at Dainenji Temple (now Kokyoji Temple in Uwamachi, Seiyo City). There is also an anecdote that he measured the height of Mt. Fuji with surveying equipment, with an error of only 18.5 meters.

Ine Kusumoto (1827-1903) Doctor

Inro (seal case): It is said that Ine Kusumoto carried this to carry medicine, and that she gave it to an acquaintance when she left this area.

In 2015, the late Reiji Matsumoto, the creator of the anime Galaxy Express 999, was photographed signing a poster during his visit to the museum. It is a well-known story that the model for Reiji's beautiful paintings of women, such as Maetel, was Takako, the daughter of Ine Kusumoto.

At the age of 18, Siebold's daughter, Ine Kusumoto, learned the basics of medicine from Keisaku Ninomiya, who was a practicing physician in Unomachi. She later became the first Japanese woman to practice surgery and was active as a physician. At the recommendation of Yukichi Fukuzawa, she even attended the birth of a female court attendant of Emperor Meiji.

Banzaburo Shimizu (1869-1943) Politician

Banzaburo Shimizu met Jo Niijima, the founder of Doshisha English School, and later opened a Christian Sunday School in Nakamachi with his close friend Ruitaro Suemitsu. He also put his efforts into sericulture, and became president of Toyo Sanseed Co., Ltd. and mayor of Uwamachi in 1915 (Taisho 4). He was involved in the construction of a new school building for Uwamachi Elementary School.

Built in 1926 (Taisho 15), Unomachi Kindergarten and Unomachi Christ Church is a distinctive building with a turret topped with a cross, a red roof, and white wooden walls.

">

The photo shows a model of the old Uwamachi Elementary School building (1/50 scale). Currently, part of the old school building remains as a rice museum. This model, which shows the whole picture, conveys the foresight of Ban Saburo, who designed the new school building, and his passion for "ensuring that the children who will lead the future receive an education in the best possible environment."

How to enjoy seasonal exhibits: Hinamatsuri and Tango no Sekku exhibitions

Hinamatsuri Exhibition

Hinamatsuri is a traditional Japanese event, a day to celebrate and pray for the happiness and healthy growth of girls. As March 3rd of the lunar calendar falls in the season when peach blossoms bloom, it is also called "Peach Festival." Our museum exhibits Hina dolls from the Taisho period, palace decorations that were popular until the 1950s, and dolls with motifs from old tales and Kabuki. It is usually held from February 3rd to April 3rd.

You can take photos inside the venue. It's fun to pretend to be a Hina doll or an old man using the face-in panel and take memorable photos.

Boys' Festival Exhibition

The Boys' Festival is an event held on May 5th to celebrate the growth of boys. It is an old event that has been held since the Nara period, but since the mid-Edo period it has spread among the common people. It is also called the Iris Festival, and celebrations are held using irises to ward off evil spirits. Our museum exhibits brave warrior dolls, flags, and giant carp streamers over 8 meters tall. It is usually held from mid-April to May 31st.

Another popular corner is where you can fold helmets out of expired flyers and newspapers. If you fold it to the size of a newspaper, you can wear it on your head.

October 22nd is the Autumn Festival in Unomachi

At the autumn festival of Mishima Shrine in Uwa-machi, ushi-oni, four-drum, portable shrine, five deer, and hotakabu are paraded around. The "oneri" procession leaves the shrine, passes through the streets of Unomachi, and heads to "Mito Park (Seiyo City Uwa-machi Children's Park)". You can take photos that look like they came out of a period picture scroll from our museum. Another highlight is the spectacular encounter between the ushi-oni and four-drum in front of JR Unomachi Station.

Use the rental space

Relax in a Japanese-style room

The 12-tatami Japanese-style room on the first floor is available for rent (from 320 yen per hour). Please use it for a break (food and drink allowed), a meeting, etc. Open the shoji screen to enjoy the view of the courtyard in every season.

If you get tired of walking and want to take a short break, why not rent a Japanese-style room and relax? We also recommend opening the Yukimi Shoji screen and looking out at the courtyard.

Utilizing the public gallery and the second floor exhibition room

The Public Gallery on the first floor is available for rent (from 1,000 yen per day). Individuals or groups can use it to exhibit their works or collections.

The exhibition room on the second floor is available for rent (starting from 2,000 yen per day). This allows for exhibitions at a higher level than those available at the Civic Gallery.

Why not present your work or collection at an exhibition or concert, either individually or as a group? The Civic Gallery and the exhibition room on the second floor in the building are available for rental.
*Staff will support you with your exhibit. Please feel free to contact us. There is a limited number of panels, display stands, wires, hooks, etc. available for free use.

Introduction of use cases, patchwork and other displays

summary

Why not visit the Uwa Sentetsu Memorial Museum, which introduces the great people who have contributed to this town, and experience the charm of the town even more? There is free parking and luggage storage services available. Please stop by when you are strolling around the town and surrounding facilities.

・Opening hours: 9:00-17:00
Closed: Mondays (open on public holidays and closed the following day), New Year's holidays (12/28 - 1/3)
・Fee: Free (charges apply if using rental space)
Location: 327 Unomachi 4-chome, Uwa-cho, Seiyo City (free parking: 20 spaces)
・Nearest station: JR Unomachi Station (7 minutes on foot), Uwajima Bus Unomachi Office (6 minutes on foot)
・Official website: https://seiyojikan.jp/spot/uwa-sentetsukinenkan/
*We will store your luggage, suitcases, etc. at the reception desk during opening hours.

[Extra] Kimono rental available at Bunka no Sato Rest Area

You can choose a kimono with your favorite color and pattern. If you are unsure, the staff will recommend a kimono that suits you.

Why not change into a kimono or hakama at the Bunka no Sato Rest House, which is a one-minute walk from the Uwa Sentetsu Memorial Museum, and stroll around the town? There are plenty of photo spots. Kimonos for men are also available, so it's recommended for couples. Please contact the address below at least two weeks in advance.
Email address: seiyo-travel@seiyo-kankou.or.jp (Seiyo City Tourism and Products Association)

For details on the Kimono Time Trip, click here

[Extra Character Edition] For those who want to know more

Group photo of the Suemitsu family. From the second left in the center are Shin (third daughter), Nui (wife of Tatsugorou), Tomoki (wife of Tsunehisa), Chika (mother), Saburo (father), Tsunehisa (second son). From the top right are Banzaburo Shimizu (husband of Shin), Tatsugorou (branch family), and third from the top left is Shinzo (third son).

The characteristics of the local people, "Higashiuwajin," are described in "The Mountains, Rivers and People of Southern Iyo" as follows: "They do not show open emotions such as joy or anger, they do everything rationally and steadily, they dislike risky gambling, they are hardworking, sincere and patriotic, they do not want to hurt others but in return they do not want to be hurt themselves, and therefore they do not like conflict. Suemitsu Chiyotaro is a prime example of this type."

Chiyotaro Suemitsu (1893-1974) Businessperson and politician

Chiyotaro Suemitsu, the 17th head of the Suemitsu Family Residence, a cultural asset designated by Seiyo City, served as an auditor for Unomachi Bank, mayor of Uwa Town, and president of Iyo Bank. He was a businessman who placed the highest priority on serving the local community, such as by supporting the preservation of the Kaimei School and the townscape.

Akira Suemitsu (1881-1955) Educator, botanist, mountaineer, artist

Suemitsu was friends with Nitobe Inazo, author of "Bushido," and writer Arishima Takeo, and was an educator who devoted himself to women's education. At the age of 27, he became the principal of Higashiuwa County Agricultural and Sericultural School (now Ehime Prefectural Uwa High School). In this photo, he is seen sketching during a mountaineering club camp when he was a professor at Meiji University. At Tokyo Imperial University (now the University of Tokyo), he contributed to the literary magazine "Poetica," a magazine for English Literature students, with the title "Sankosei," and a collection of Suemitsu's poems was also published.

Shirai Uzan (1864－1928), sculptor and Japanese painter

His real name was Yasujiro. Shirai Uzan went to Europe as the first Ministry of Education-sponsored student in the field of sculpture, studying modeling in France and Germany. He later established a department of sculpture at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts (now Tokyo University of the Arts). He worked hard to popularize a new form of plastic art called "choso," which combines "sculpture" and "plastic statues." Shirai Uzan also appears in Mori Ogai's essay "Ogura Nikki."

Furuya Brothers

Photographed by the Embassy in Seoul, Korea in 1904 (Meiji 37) / Bottom row, center: Ito Hirobumi (later the first Prime Minister), second row from the bottom, third from the right: Furuya Shigetsuna (Assistant Diplomatic Officer), top row, third from the left: Furuya Hisatsuna (Secretary to Ito Hirobumi)

The elder of the Furuya brothers, Hisatsuna (1874-1919), served for many years as secretary to the first Prime Minister, Ito Hirobumi, and later served as a member of parliament. He was also active in donating dictionaries and other items to children at his alma mater. The younger brother, Shigetsuna (1876-1967), was a successful diplomat. After retiring, he settled in Brazil permanently and worked hard to promote friendship between Japan and Brazil, including the spread of education and culture and the establishment of hospitals. He focused on bananas, which were still unknown at the time, and opened and cultivated banana plantations, contributing to their export.