{"id":92,"date":"2025-11-20T17:57:12","date_gmt":"2025-11-20T08:57:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shozokan.nich.go.jp\/en\/about"},"modified":"2026-04-08T16:16:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T07:16:24","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/shozokan.nich.go.jp\/en\/about","title":{"rendered":"About the Museum"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan first opened its doors in the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace in November 1993. Its founding missions were to conserve works of art formerly owned by the Imperial Family, make them accessible to the public through exhibitions, and create new knowledge about them through research. The initial collection consisted of paintings, calligraphy, decorative arts, historical materials, and other works gifted to the nation by His Majesty the Emperor Emeritus and his mother Empress Kojun in 1989. The collection has continued to grow since then through generous donations from other Imperial Family Members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Museum\u2019s name, Sannomaru Shozokan, means \u201cimperial storehouse in the third bailey.\u201d The word sannomaru<\/em> (lit. \u201cthird circle\u201d) refers to former Edo Castle\u2019s third bailey, the site where the Museum now stands. The word shozo<\/em> is sourced from an archaic term for the head keeper of imperial storehouses, and the suffix -kan<\/em> means building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2019, the Museum temporarily closed to expand its exhibition rooms and storage spaces as well as to construct new facilities for a broader range of initiatives. In autumn 2023, the Museum partially reopened, and its management was transferred from the Imperial Household Agency to the National Institutes for Cultural Heritage (NICH). The Museum closed again in May 2025 to complete ongoing renovations. A grand reopening is planned for autumn 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Museum allows visitors to explore the Imperial Household\u2019s cultural legacy and is committed to preserving the many works passed down by the Imperial Family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Much-Anticipated Reopening<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Museum\u2019s renovations are proceeding as scheduled, with a grand reopening planned for autumn 2026. In addition to new galleries, the Museum\u2019s expanded facilities will include a museum shop and lecture hall that will be used to screen videos as well as host a variety of conferences, workshops, and other events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Museum<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Exterior
Museum Exterior<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Administrative and Financial Information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Available on NICH\u2019s official website:<\/p>\n\n\n\n