Kobe Literary Museum

Overview

The Kobe Literary Museum is a modern literary museum located in Nada-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture. It opened on December 4, 2006, as part of the "Cultural Regeneration City Promotion Plan" formulated by the Kobe City government for the literary revival following the Great Hanshin Earthquake. The Kobe Literary Museum occupies a historic building that once served as a chapel for Kwansei Gakuin University. Built in 1904, this wooden structure, designed by M. Wignall, is known as the oldest wooden church building in Kobe. After Kwansei Gakuin University relocated to its current location in Kamigahara, Nishinomiya City in 1929, the building remained. It was severely damaged during World War II air raids, losing its tower and suffering internal destruction. Subsequently, it was partially restored in 1950 as a pavilion for the Japan Trade Industry Exposition (Kobe Exhibition). After the exhibition, it served as a citizen's art classroom, an American cultural center, and the Kobe City Oji Library. The tower was restored in 1993 and it functioned as the Oji Citizen's Gallery. Fortunately, it escaped major damage in the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake and was converted into the Kobe Literary Museum in 2006. In March 2008, it was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property. The museum features permanent exhibitions showcasing original manuscripts and related items from 41 novelists, poets, and literary figures associated with Kobe from the modern era. These are displayed chronologically, alongside photographs depicting Kobe's scenery from each period. The displayed authors include many renowned names such as Masaoka Shiki, Jun'ichirō Tanizaki, Yoshii Riichi, Sei Shionoya, Shūgorō Yamamoto, Shōhei Ōoka, and Shūsaku Endō. The museum also exhibits literary works set in Kobe and information on their authors, offering a profound understanding of Kobe's literary history. The Kobe Literary Museum provides a fascinating blend of Kobe's literary history and a visit to a historic building. It's a must-see destination for any visitor to Kobe.