Basho-Seifu Historical Museum (Suzuki Yahe Residence) (Web) 芭蕉、清風歴史資料館（鈴木弥兵衛家住宅） (Web)

Official explanation

The famous haiku poet Matsuo Basho (1644–1694) undertook a 156-day journey of roughly 2,400 kilometers from Edo (present-day Tokyo) through northern Japan in 1689. He traveled mostly on foot, accompanied by his disciple Kawai Sora (1649–1710). Their journey formed the basis for Oku no hosomichi (Narrow Road to the Deep North), a travel narrative that is one of his most famous works. Along the way, they stopped in Obanazawa to visit Basho’s friend, the wealthy merchant Suzuki Seifu (1651–1721), who is commonly known by his given name. They stayed in town for 10 nights, enjoying Seifu’s hospitality for three days, with the remaining time spent at Yosenji Temple.

The Basho-Seifu Historical Museum celebrates the enduring friendship between Basho and Seifu, and the legacy of Basho’s Oku no hosomichi journey. Its exhibits include materials related to Seifu, letters written by Basho himself, and materials about Obanazawa related to Basho’s Oku no hosomichi journey. The second floor displays tools, clothes, and other artifacts documenting everyday life in the old days during Obanazawa’s harsh winters.

Read the full explanation

The museum building was originally the house of a sake merchant built in the late Edo period (1603–1867) that has been relocated to its current location near Seifu’s home. The entrance to the museum has latticed shutters reminiscent of days gone by, and an earthen floor hallway leading inside.

出典: 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース（観光庁） — www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db. この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Multilingual Explanation Database. This English text was produced by the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanation project and is shown unedited. Opening hours and services may have changed since it was written.