Travel Around Tokyo & Surroundings
Nomen Hakubutsukan - Noh Mask Museum
TRAVEL TOPIC: B-Movie Style of Attractions in Tokyo
One day, I visited a friend of mine living in Sumida-ku and also toured the area. Sumida-ku (ward) is next to Taito-ku where Asakura is located, an area that has a long history in traditional culture going back to the Edo period. See this map for all the ku's in the Tokyo area.
As I read in a guidebook on Japan, I found out some craftsmen involved in traditional Japanese crafts and arts are still living and working in Sumida-ku. The guidebook also said there are small museums in Sumida-ku. So, I became interested in visiting one particular museum called Nomen Museum. Nomen is a mask that actors wear in traditional Japanese Noh theatre.
On the way to the museum we imagined a big building and thought we would be able to find it easily. However, we couldn't find it right away, although we reached the right address according to our map. Finally, we found what we arrived for, it was actually a private house, right in front of us
Unfortunately, we found out the museum opens only on Tuesdays, Saturdays, and on the forth Sunday fo the month. The day we visited was Thursday, and besides, it was a national holiday. Definitley it would be closed. Any ways, went in and asked if we could take a little look inside the museum. Fortunately, the owner of the museum let us go inside.
The inside of the museum looked like a private house, too This is the private house and studio of Mr. Kaneko, who creates and teaches the art of Nomen.
Mr. Kaneko was a craftsman and not very talkative, though, he welcomed us warmly and explained about his works in a friendly manner. The number of Nomens, exhibited is not so much, BUT, the quality is outstanding. It was really enjoyable to meet a nice person like Kaneko-san.
How to get Nomen Hakubutsukan
Take the Keisei line and get off at Oshiage station. It takes about 10 minutes on foot from the Oshiage station. If you have difficulty in fidning the museum, it is better to ask someone on the street.
Mr. Kaneko showed us his guest book and we found quite a number of foreigners have visited the museum. I wonder how they managed to find their way. Amazing!
Nomen Museum
5-10-5 Narihira Sumida-ku Tokyo
Open: Tuesday, Saturday and the forth Sunday of each month.
Admission: Free
