Tambasasayama Historical Art Museum, History and art museum in Tamba-Sasayama, Japan
The Tambasasayama Historical Art Museum is housed in the former Sasayama District Court, completed in 1891 and said to be Japan's oldest wooden courthouse. The building was rotated 90 degrees on rollers to serve as the museum, which opened in 1982. Its five galleries show armor, lacquerware, paintings, maki-e, and ceramics from the Ogimachi kiln, plus excavated artifacts.
The building served as a district court from its construction in 1891 until closure in 1981. Its transformation into a museum preserved the courthouse architecture while opening the historic structure to public viewing.
The museum's collection centres on the Aoyama family, lords of Sasayama Castle, and includes armour, lacquerware, paintings and maki-e. It also holds pieces of Ojiyama ware, a kiln opened as the Sasayama domain's official pottery. The former courtroom now serves as a lecture and meeting room.
The museum sits in central Tamba-Sasayama at Gofukumachi 53, within walking distance of the historic town center. Visitors arriving by public transport should allow time for a modest walk from the station area.
The museum building is Japan's oldest surviving wooden courthouse, completed in 1891 as the Sasayama District Court. It was moved and rotated 90 degrees using the hikiya sliding method to serve as the museum, and the former courtroom now functions as a lecture and meeting room.
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