How to get to the Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture?

It is about a 15-minute walk from JR Nagasaki Station or a 10-minute walk from the 'Shiyakusho' (City Hall) tram stop. The museum is located on the former site of the Nagasaki Magistrate's Office.

Are there special exhibits for the 20th anniversary?

Yes, this special feature exhibition itself is the commemorative event, showcasing 46 selected National Important Cultural Properties, accessible with a regular permanent exhibit ticket.

What is the historical significance of 'Shinpai'?

Shinpai was an official trade permit issued by the Nagasaki Magistrate to Chinese merchant ships during the Edo period. It represents the strict trade control systems of that era.

Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture Hosts Feature Exhibition: 'The World of Nagasaki Bugyosho Materials' Celebrating 20 Years of Important Cultural Property Designation

Published May 18, 2026 2:43 AM ・ Updated Jun 13, 2026 11:57 PM ・ 5 min read ・ Source: PR TIMES

To mark the 20th anniversary of its materials being designated as National Important Cultural Properties, the Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture is holding a special exhibition from April 28 to June 28, 2026. The exhibit features 46 selected items out of 1,242 protected artifacts, including administrative documents signed by high officials, trade permits for Chinese ships, and historical records of John Manjiro.

Nagasaki Magistrate's Office (Nagasaki Bugyosho) was responsible for governing Nagasaki during the Edo period. The documents created and preserved at this office are known as the 'Nagasaki Bugyosho Related Materials.' In June 2006, 1,242 items from this collection (currently housed in the museum) were designated as National Important Cultural Properties.

While the museum typically introduces the office's roles in its permanent 'Nagasaki Bugyosho Zone,' this special exhibition commemorates the 20th anniversary of the designation. Out of the 1,242 items, the museum has selected 46 documents covering administration, judiciary, trade control, diplomacy, security, and the prohibition of Christianity, shown alongside 16 related materials (62 items in total).

### Exhibition Details - **Exhibition Title:** The World of Nagasaki Bugyosho Related Materials - 20th Anniversary of Important Cultural Property Designation - **Dates:** April 28 (Tue) – June 28 (Sun), 2026 - **Closed:** May 7, May 18, June 1, June 15 - **Venue:** Feature Exhibition Room (2nd Floor, Permanent Exhibition Area) - **Hours:** 8:30 – 19:00 (Last entry 18:30) - **Admission:** Included in permanent exhibition fee (Adults: 630 yen, Students: 310 yen)

### Key Highlights

**1. Administration: Orders from the Shogunate** - *Catalog of Official Orders (Gohousho Okakitsukerui Mokuroku)*: This log records official orders and memorandums sent from the central government to Nagasaki. One entry shows a document sent by high-ranking official Tanuma Okitsugu to Nagasaki Magistrate Tsuge Nagatonokami Masatane.

**2. Trade Control: Licenses for Chinese Ships** - *Shinpai (Trade Permit) and Wappudome-cho (Issuance Register)*: The Shinpai was a permit given to Chinese ship owners. The museum displays these permits alongside the original registers used to verify their authenticity via matching stamps.

**3. Judiciary: Criminal Records and Sentencing** - *Hankacho (Judicial Casebook) and Oshoki-ukai (Requests for Sentencing)*: The Hankacho is a collection of legal precedents. This exhibit features the 1842 sentencing of the famous artist Kawahara Keiga (Toyosuke). It is shown with records sent to the Shogunate for final judgment on complex cases.

**4. Maritime Incidents: The Interrogation of John Manjiro** - *Records of Castaways*: This document records the interrogation of Manjiro (John Manjiro) from Tosa, who was rescued by an American ship and spent years abroad. Upon returning to Japan in 1851 via Ryukyu and Satsuma, he was questioned at the Nagasaki Bugyosho.

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Source: PR TIMES
Category: Event

Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture Hosts Feature Exhibition: 'The World of Nagasaki Bugyosho Materials' Celebrating 20 Years of Important Cultural Property Designation

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