Illustrated Scroll of the route from Nihonbashi to Nagasaki (Edo period,18th century) by UnknownThe Kagawa Museum
The Seto Inland Sea has been an epicenter of Japanese trade and cultural exchange over the centuries. The warm climate and low rainfall have made the inland sea a focal point of the region, shaping a unique culture and way of life.
The Seto Inland Sea Folk History Museum aims to detail the history and culture of the area. It was built in 1973 to collect and maintain important artifacts from the region, and to carry out research into the livelihoods that have made it so unique.
Goby fish trap pots called ‘Haze-tsubo’ (Syouwa period,20th century) by UnknownSeto Inland Sea Folk History Museum
Among the museum’s more than 5,000 pieces, you can find fishing and shipbuilding tools that have helped to forge a way of life on and around the water, many designated as nationally important tangible folk cultural properties．
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Use the arrows to enter the museum, and click and drag to look around. Then, scroll on to focus on a few interesting pieces that can tell us more about the Seto Inland Sea.
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Fishing tackle to catch cuttlefish
Syouwa period, 20th century
Fishing tackle to catch cuttlefish (Syouwa period,20th century) by UnknownSeto Inland Sea Folk History Museum
This hook, found in Wakayama City in the Wakayama Prefecture, was used to catch cuttlefish. It has been made to resemble a shrimp and when put into the water, it is even said its movements resemble that of a crustacean, which happen to be a particular favorite of the cuttlefish.
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God of wealth called ‘Ebesu-san’
Syouwa period, 20th century
God of wealth called ‘Ebesu-san’: typical religious idol of Japanese fishermen (Syouwa period,20th century) by UnknownSeto Inland Sea Folk History Museum
This is a typical religious idol of Japanese fishermen found in Takamishima, Tadotsu-cho in the Kagawa Prefecture, part of the region of the Seto Inland Sea.
It is a likeness of the god Ebesu, who was thought to bring fishermen a good catch. It was the most widely worshipped deity among fishermen and an important cultural icon of the region.
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Wooden shoes
Syouwa period, 20th century
Wooden shoes (Syouwa period,20th century) by UnknownSeto Inland Sea Folk History Museum
These shoes are typical of those worn by fisherman when they were out to sea during the winter months. While they don't look all that comfortable, they are still in remarkably good condition, which highlights the quality of the manufacture.
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Basket to catch moray eels
Syouwa period, 20th century
Basket to catch moray eels (Syouwa period,20th century) by UnknownSeto Inland Sea Folk History Museum
This contraption, found in Kaifu-gun in the Tokushima Prefecture, would have been submerged in the water to catch moray eels - a key part of the diet in the region. The design makes it easy for the fish to get in, but once they are inside, they are unable to get back out again.
Fisherman`s feasting flag to celebrate a good catch (Syouwa period,20th century) by UnknownSeto Inland Sea Folk History Museum
Want to learn more?
If the Seto Inland Sea Museum has captured your imagination, you can find out more about what's on display here.
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