Shiwaku Kinbansho, Historic government office and museum on Honjima Island, Marugame, Japan.
The Shiwaku Kinbansho features traditional Japanese architecture with an irimoya-zukuri gabled roof, earthen walls, and a moat enclosing the 42-meter square structure that houses historical exhibits and artifacts.
Established in 1798 as the administrative center for the Shiwaku Islands during the Edo period, this government office managed the autonomous maritime territory until the Meiji Restoration in 1868.
The museum displays letters signed by Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, along with artifacts from the Kanrin-maru mission that showcase Japan's maritime heritage and naval history.
Located ten minutes on foot from Honjima Port, the museum operates from 9:00 to 16:00 with admission fees supporting preservation efforts and educational exhibits about regional governance.
This site represents the rare autonomous self-governance system where 650 sailors with red seal privileges from Toyotomi Hideyoshi administered the islands without allegiance to any daimyo.
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