Page 166 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Japan

5 "
21st Century Museum
of Contemporary Art
⌂ 1-2-1 Hirosaka
# 10am–6pm Tue–
Sun ∑ kanazawa21.jp
This experimental museum
EXPERIENCE Central Honshu (Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue
was created by the famous
architectural duo SANAA
Nishikawa), who won the
Pritzker Prize in 2010. The
museum explores emerging
new work in visual arts, design,
craft, fashion, architecture, and
film, particularly in relation to
multiculturalism and trans­
porta tion, technology, gender
issues, and identity. The art Olafur Eliasson’s Colour activity
on display encourages physical house (2010) at the 21st Century
interaction from visitors and, Museum of Contemporary Art
as a result, it is particularly
popular with families.
only leaving in 1869. The
fortification was almost 7 "
6 entirely destroyed by fire Kaga-Honda Museum
in 1881, and only the armory
Kanazawa Castle and rear gate, Ishikawa­mon, ⌂ 3-1 Dewamachi # 9am–
survived. Since then, a major 5pm daily ∑ honda-
⌂ Marunouchi § (076 234- museum.jp
3800 # 9am–4:30pm restoration project has been Gain a glimpse into the history
underway, recreating the
daily ∑ pref.ishikawa.jp
structures using original of feudal Japan through these
The size of Kanazawa Castle, construction techniques. In artifacts belonging to the
one of the largest in feudal the centre of the castle’s park, descendants of Honda
Japan, reflects the importance visitors can access three large­ Masanobu, an advisor to the
of its former residents, who scale reconstructions of the Tokugawa Shogun and the
were said to be the second original buildings. Inside lord of Maeda’s highest vassal.
most powerful family in Japan. these structures are intricate This unique exhibition show­
The Maeda clan began building models of the castle, as well as cases a rare collection of
their castle here in 1583, and displays, showing the various military hardware, including
the family resided within its architectural techniques used exquisite armor and weaponry.
walls for fourteen generations, in the restoration. Look out for the the items
connected to the samurai’s
mount, including a delicately
lacquered saddle, stirrups
with elaborate gold inlay, and
imposing horse armor, which
are said to be some of the
finest examples in Japan.
Also on display are curiosities
such as fire­fighting attire, as
well as wedding trousseaux
belonging to women from the
Maeda clan who married into
the Honda family.

The reconstructed exterior
of Kanazawa Castle, with
its fortified walls
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