Outline

On display in this museum you will find a collection of armors, helmets and works of art as well as various other artifacts used by the successive generations of Sanada Family lords. This family ruled the Matsushiro Clan during the feudal Edo Period from the early seventeenth to the late nineteenth centuries. Enjoy and appreciate the beauty of these exhibits that are truly symbolic of the literary and military culture of Japanese samurai. The Sanada Family is well known for its emblem featuring six old coins that is called “Mutsurensen” or “Rokumonsen.” Buddhist belief has it that those who died would use six old coins as boat fee to purchase boat transportation to safely cross the “Sanzu” River, or death’s river, before going into the other world. As such, the emblem is said to symbolize the spirit of Sanada samurai who were unafraid of dying in battle.

The Sanada Clan Exhibit

The Sanada clan was a samurai clan that came into being around the 14th century. They were based in the northeast region of present-day Nagano Prefecture. They became the rulers of the Matsushiro Domain from the 17th century, when Ieyasu Tokugawa unified Japan following about 100 years of conflict that had been taking place between warlords. The administrative division at that time was the han (domain), and the Sanada clan of the Matsushiro Domain took up residence at Matsushiro Castle in Nagano. They ruled the northern region of the prefecture for 250 years. The Sanada clan was not a particularly powerful samurai clan during the period of feuding warlords. However, they repelled massive armies, and parent and child fought on opposing sides in order to continue the family line. This struck a chord with later generations, and the clan remains highly popular to this day. The museum introduces the history of the Sanada clan, starting with their beginnings and going up until around the middle of the 19th century.

Exhibition Room

Antiques, such as armaments, beautiful calligraphy works, and paintings, passed down in the Sanada clan are on display. The displays are rotated four times a year.

Antiques Exhibition

Antiques, such as armaments, beautiful calligraphy works, and paintings, passed down in the Sanada clan are on display. The displays are rotated four times a year.