Fukae
Heritage
Museum
The Fukae region is the land of “Kasanui Island,” which is mentioned in Volume 3 of “Manyoshu.”
During the Edo period, the Angotsu Nara Kaido was a key point where people, goods, and culture exchanged.
In addition, the sugagasa hats that were made in Fukae Village are said to be in the Ise Ondo line, “Osaka is far away, Tamatsukuri, and if you want to buy a hat, Fukae is a famous place.”
As the song says, all travelers visiting shrines bought sedge hats here for use on their way.
The Fukae Local Museum is a museum that introduces the history, folklore, and culture of the region, mainly for Fukae residents who are interested in history.
Fukae, the Historic Town of a Beloved Craft
Referred to as Kasanui-no-shima (“hat-weaving island”) in ancient texts, the area today known as Fukae was long ago an island where a people thrived and crafted sedge-woven hats called sugegasa. In modern times, major roads passed through Fukae, leading to its development as a way point for people, goods, and culture, thus spreading wide Fukae’s sedge hat craftsmanship. The Fukae area also holds several historic buildings, including Homyoji Temple, built by a famous monk. In this way, Fukae is a historic city whose cultural legacy developed around sedge craftsmanship, a tradition dating back to time immemorial.
See detailed explanationFukae Heritage Museum Main Building
The main building of the Fukae Heritage Museum exhibits cast iron objects such as tea kettles and bronze mirrors crafted by members of the Kakutani family. There are also artifacts originating from the Fukae area, including sedge hats dedicated at some of the most significant rituals at Ise Grand Shrine, one of the most important shrines in all of Japan, such as the Shikinen Sengu (“grand rebuilding”) and Daijosai (“great food offering”) rituals. The museum also holds some rubbings of a stone monument that tell of the floods that occurred in Osaka during the late 1800s.
See detailed explanationFukae Heritage Museum Annex
The Fukae Heritage Museum Annex is the renovated former residence of the Koda family, historically the village leaders of Fukae. Built in 1935, the building is located just next to the museum’s Main Building. Preserving the historic atmosphere of pre-war Japan (the early Showa era), multiple parts of the premises have been registered as national tangible cultural properties, including the front gate, two different storehouses, fence, and the main house. The Annex is also available for rental as a unique venue for various events, providing a historically significant spot for memorable events.
See detailed explanation