TRAVEL
Hijikata Toshizō Museum
Hijikata Toshizō Museum is another privately managed museum in Hino City. It is operated by Megumi Toshizō, the sixth-generation descendant of Hijikata Toshizō’s elder brother. The current site of the museum is Hijikata Toshizō’s childhood home. At the garden there is an arrow bamboo planted himself in his youth, as well as a bronze bust in display. The Museum houses a rich collection of his memorabilia. His beloved sword Izumi no Kami Kanesada is an all-time favourite for all and has been designated as cultural property of Hino City. And Kusari Katabira, a set of chain mail and armour which he wore in Ikedaya Jiken, is another notable display. In addition, the hachigane or forehead guard and the collection of haiku that he wrote are also highlights of the many exhibits.
There are sharing sessions and Ishidasanyaku medicine workshop to be held at the Museum. Ishidasanyaku medicine was a pain reliever run by his family over a couple of centuries with a reputation of easing sprains, bruises and other wounds. The workshop provided audience an understanding of the history and manufacturing process of the drug which had ceased in usage since 1948.
Megumi Toshizō gives all efforts in promoting the Shinsengumi, gaining widespread support and respect in Japan. On 10 July 2021, she was shortlisted to represent Hino City as a torchbearer for the Tokyo Olympics, going through numerous historical landmarks of the Shinsengumi, much to the pride of Shinsengumi fans worldwide.
Amid the state of emergency during the onset of the pandemic, the Olympic torch relay proceeded as usual and began in Fukushima Prefecture on 25 March, passing through all 47 prefectures under much pressure from media. Nevertheless, the relay held symbolic significance, and the torch arrived in Tokyo on 9 July, starting a 15-day journey in the area. On the following day, 10 July, torch relays took place in cities of Tama (birthplace of Kondō Isami), Hino, Akishima and Hachioji.
In her interview with the Tokyo Olympics officials in 2020, Megumi Toshizō shared her story about the Hijikata Toshizō Museum which was opened on 11 May 1994, a day for the anniversary of Hijikata Toshizō’s death in 1869. At the beginning, the site only attracted around ten visitors per day. However it has now become a pilgrimage site for Shinsengumi fans worldwide. Despite language barriers, overseas visitors flock to experience the place where Hijikata Toshizō grew up and to witness the letters and belongings he left behind. These gives Megumi Toshizō a big support, inspiring her to continue promoting the Shinsengumi.
The Hijikata Toshizō Museum had once announced on 10 February 2022, that it would be closing indefinitely. The museum, operated by Megumi Toshizō, had been open to the public since 1994. During the past two years of the pandemic, the museum adjusted its opening hours in accordance with city government health guidelines, still allowing visitors to catch a glimpse of its valuable collection. The closure announcement revealed that over these 28 years, she felt that running the museum as a personal endeavor had its limitations, and thus decided to temporarily close it to reconsider its future direction.
Fortunately, the museum has since resumed operations, now open twice a month.
Hijikata Toshizō Museum
Address: 2-1-3 Ishida, Hino, Tokyo
Opening hours: 1200 to 1600 (Sundays of the first and third week of every month)
Admission fee: 800 yen
Getting there: A 10 minutes bus ride from Shinsengumi Furusato History Museum
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