Edo Tokyo Museum is showing a special
exhibit on Edward Morse’s collection. From 1877, he visited Japan three times for total of four years. Four years seem not enough time to learn Japanese
culture, but it’s amazing how much he observed and collected Japanese utensils.
It was a strange experience, to be
honest. Museum viewers came in and
looked at similar items with which I grew up.
It wasn’t that long ago. No
kidding! We were using them in my house
except the items for painting teeth black.
A one-sided-blade knife was in a showcase
with a stone to sharpen it. Its label
said the knife to cut fish. It was
small. It must be appropriate size for
most housewives then.
What I appreciateed most was children’s
smiles in the photos. I don’t know if
Morse took those photos himself or not, but I’m sure he made them laugh. That’s a big contribution for his work which
he tried to depict day to day Japanese.
Before I left the museum, I went up to the
sixth floor and browsed their regular Edo exhibits. I took off my shoes and went up to a wooden
house like the one I grew up in. I came
out, and I was about to leave when I heard a couple speaking in English. A man said, “Is this a school?” So, we chatted a while. They were from New York.
7:30 pm was closing time. I headed to the station. It was dark and no people around. The location is the middle of Tokyo and very
lonely looking place, I thought. Gee,
similar house in which I grew up was in the museum already! This is a weird image. Unfortunately, many young Japanese haven’t
had experience in living in such house and even older people, too, never seen
some of those utensils that Morse brought back to America growing up. Right now, I have a renter in my wooden house,
but I must preserve it. I don’t want it
disappear. So, this is usually my
problem, but yesterday, I reconfirmed that it is my happiness.
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