Materials Related to Okubo Toshimichi

The Okubo Toshimichi Collection: A Window into the Birth of Modern Japan

Housed within the Reimeikan (Kagoshima Prefectural Center for Historical Material), the Okubo Toshimichi Related Documents represent one of Japan's most significant collections of Meiji-era historical materials. Designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 2004, this extraordinary assemblage of 1,650 items — spanning personal diaries, diplomatic correspondence, official government documents, and everyday personal belongings — offers an unparalleled glimpse into the mind and world of one of the three architects of the Meiji Restoration.

Okubo Toshimichi (1830–1878), born in the castle town of Kagoshima in the Satsuma Domain, rose from a low-ranking samurai family to become the most powerful statesman in early Meiji Japan. Together with Saigo Takamori and Kido Takayoshi, he is revered as one of the "Three Great Nobles" of the Restoration. This collection preserves the written legacy of his remarkable journey from provincial samurai to nation builder.

What Makes This Collection an Important Cultural Property?

The Okubo Toshimichi Related Documents were designated as a nationally Important Cultural Property (Historical Materials category) on June 8, 2004. The collection encompasses materials from the late Edo period through the early Meiji era, providing first-hand documentation of one of the most transformative periods in Japanese history.

The Kagoshima Prefecture's portion of the collection contains 1,595 letters — both correspondence received by Okubo and copies of letters he sent — along with official documents, personal calligraphy, and everyday items such as go stones, a go board, combs, a soap dish, and even a toothbrush. These materials originally belonged to the Okubo family, who preserved them after Toshimichi's assassination in 1878 and actively collected additional related documents.

The collection survived a fire at the Okubo family residence in Tokyo's Shiba Nihon'enoki district in 1889. Although some items were lost, the majority were carried to safety. Traces of fire damage on certain letters serve as silent testimony to this close call with destruction.

What makes this collection especially valuable is its comprehensiveness. Combined with the portion held by the National Museum of Japanese History, these documents illuminate every aspect of Okubo's public and private life — from his earliest known letter, dated June 4, 1853, requesting a loan from his brother-in-law, to high-level diplomatic negotiations and sweeping plans for national reform.

Highlights of the Collection

The Reimeikan: Where the Collection Lives

The Okubo Toshimichi Related Documents are housed at the Reimeikan, the Kagoshima Prefectural Center for Historical Material, which stands on the grounds of the former Tsurumaru Castle (also known as Kagoshima Castle). This was the residence of the Shimazu clan, the powerful lords of the Satsuma Domain who played a crucial role in the Meiji Restoration.

Opened in 1983, the Reimeikan holds over 155,000 items in its collection and features approximately 3,000 items on display at any given time. The museum's collection is particularly strong in materials from the bakumatsu (late Edo) and Meiji periods. In recent years, the second-floor exhibition rooms have been renovated to include enhanced Meiji Restoration displays, airtight cases for Important Cultural Properties, and multilingual exhibit descriptions and audio guides.

Please note that as with many historical document collections, items may be rotated or temporarily removed from display for conservation purposes. It is advisable to contact the museum in advance if you wish to view specific items from the Okubo collection.

Okubo Toshimichi's Legacy in Kagoshima

Visiting the Reimeikan is just one part of tracing Okubo's story in Kagoshima. The city offers a rich tapestry of sites connected to the "Three Great Nobles" of the Restoration.

Near Kagoshima Chuo Station, the imposing bronze statue of Okubo Toshimichi stands along the banks of the Kotsuki River. Created by sculptor Nakamura Shinya in 1979 to commemorate the centenary of Okubo's death, the 4.3-meter statue depicts the statesman in full stride, gazing toward the Kajiyamachi neighborhood where he grew up.

The nearby Kajiyamachi area is where both Okubo and Saigo Takamori were raised as childhood friends in the same samurai neighborhood. The Birthplace of Okubo Toshimichi monument marks the location of his family home. Just a short walk away stands the famous statue of Saigo Takamori, Okubo's lifelong friend and eventual political rival.

The Museum of the Meiji Restoration, located near Kagoshima Chuo Station, provides comprehensive context about the era through immersive exhibits, dioramas, and multimedia presentations, making it an excellent companion visit to the Reimeikan.

Exploring Kagoshima: Nearby Attractions

Kagoshima City itself is a vibrant destination offering natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Sakurajima, the iconic active volcano visible across Kinko Bay, can be reached by a short ferry ride and offers hiking trails and natural hot-spring foot baths. The Sengan-en garden, a UNESCO World Heritage component site, showcases the Shimazu clan's stunning landscape garden with Sakurajima as its backdrop.

For those interested in the broader story of Satsuma's role in Japan's modernization, the Former Shuseikan complex — part of the UNESCO "Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution" — lies adjacent to Sengan-en and documents the domain's early industrialization efforts.

Shiroyama, the hill behind the Reimeikan, is both a scenic viewpoint and a historic site — it was the location of Saigo Takamori's last stand during the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877. A walking trail through the forested hillside leads to observation points with panoramic views over the city and Sakurajima.