Two Must-See 2Museums When Visiting Kagoshima

Location; 7-2 Shiroyama-cho, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture
Access; ・Get off at the “City Hall” stop on the streetcar or bus, then walk about 5 minutes
・Get off at the “Satsuma Righteous Samurai Monument” stop on the Kagoshima City View, and it’s right there

For those coming from Kagoshima Chuo Station,

Exit the main entrance of JR Kagoshima Chuo Station, and you’ll see the “Kagoshima Chuo Ekimae” stop for the Kagoshima City Tram directly in front of you.

Take the “City Tram Line 1” bound for Reimeikan; the destination is “Kagoshima Ekimae.”

official https://www.kagoshima-kankou.com/for/attractions/10514

Let’s go in

Once you’re inside, go up to the second floor.
This is the area where ethnographic materials are on display.
A statue of the spirit of the rice fields is on display here. In fact, there are several replica statues lined up around the museum as well.
Furthermore, these statues of the rice field spirit can only be seen in Kagoshima.
Typically, throughout Japan, people have entrusted their wishes to Buddhist statues known as “Jizō.” Here in Kagoshima, however, as if to serve as a substitute, ordinary people erect statues of the rice field deity.

Festivals featuring the rice field deity are held in various places. The masks used in these festivals are all unique; there is no single standard design, and they are incredibly diverse.

The masks that appear on Kuroshima island. What does it represent?
Mishima town official https://mishimamura.com/education-culture-history/omaturi/

“Takamen,” a character featured in the Harvest Dance on Takeshima Island in Mishima Village.
These dances are featured in the Hassaku Odori festival on both Kuroshima and Takeshima. The festival is held on August 31 on Kuroshima and on September 1 on Takeshima.
Kagoshima travel https://www.kagoshima-kankou.com/feature/sizenkouen/10

The “Shodon Shibaya” can be seen in Setouchi Town on Kakeroma Island. It consists of dance and theater. It is primarily performed during the festivals held on the 15th day of the 8th month and the 9th day of the 9th month of the lunar calendar.
Kagoshima official https://www.pref.kagoshima.jp/ab10/kyoiku-bunka/bunka/museum/shichoson/setouti/shodon.html

The three on the left are the Men Odori (Mask Dances) of Tanegashima island. More than 20 dancers wearing paper masks perform to the beat of drums and cymbals to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. Held on the third Sunday in October.
official https://www.furusato-tanegashima.net/ky-geinou/kg-menodori.html

On the right is the “Yui Mask Dance” from Amami Oshima island. It is a dance that incorporates theatrical elements. It takes place on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar.
kagoshima official https://www.pref.kagoshima.jp/ab10/kyoiku-bunka/bunka/museum/shichoson/nishinoomote/menodori.html

On the left is a mask featured in Yoron’s “Yoron Fifteenth-Night Festival.” It’s a massive mask that reaches down to the chest when worn.

cf. https://discoverdeeperjapan.com/2025/03/19/yoron-jugoya-festival/

On the right is “Toshidon,” the god of the year who visits every home at the end of the year on Koshikijima island.
cf (japanese) https://www.pref.kagoshima.jp/ab10/kyoiku-bunka/bunka/museum/shichoson/satumasendai/doshidon.html

And these are the strangest visiting deities—not just in Kagoshima, but in all of Japan. On the left is “Mendon,” and on the right is “Boze.”
Boze appears on Akuseki Island on the 16th day of the 7th month of the lunar calendar, while Mendon appears on Iwo Island on the 1st or 2nd day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. They are mysterious deities who burst into the Bon dance celebrations.
cf. https://discoverdeeperjapan.com/2021/08/30/boze-the-strangest-visiting-deity/

mendon(japanese) https://matsurito.jp/matsuri/iotohassakutaikoodori/index.html

Before we get into that, let’s briefly review what a tengu is.
According to ancient texts, Sarutahiko is described as having a red face and a high nose; his appearance was identical to that of the tengu, who appeared later.
Since ancient times, people have feared tengu as powerful demons that bring misfortune and cause natural disasters and wars.

In addition, there is also a deity named Sarutahiko. These two are actually completely different entities, but the reason they are often confused is that they look alike. According to ancient texts, Sarutahiko is described as having a red face and a high nose; his appearance was identical to that of the tengu, who appeared later.

Inside, there is an overwhelming number of masks on display.
I heard that the previous director collected these all by himself.

Even masks from overseas. At this point, I really couldn’t say.