Japanese House

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History Timeline

Explore key moments in the history of teaching and learning about Japan at Boston Children’s Museum and about the installation of the Kyo no Machiya inside the Museum.

1913-1950

1951-1975

1976-1983

1984-1992

1993-2015

308 Congress Street Boston, MA 02210 (617) 426-6500

©2015-2021 The Boston Children’s Museum

Visitors were able to help with the repair work. Here, a 3-year-old visitor applies glue.

A visitor applies finishing touches to her shoji-inspired art project.

Wakiya-san demonstrating his expertise.

Visitors watching a taiko drumming performance during the 50th anniversary celebrations.

A koma (spinning top) performance in the Common at the BCM.

Kenko Tatami Assocation members hard at work on replacement tatami mat covers.

One of the Kenko Tatami Association members assisting a visitor with his miniature tatami-making activity.

Here, two girls proudly display their completed miniature tatami.

 

The exhibit was a collaboration between BCM and the Capital Children’s Museum.  Visitors to the exhibit were invited to experience childhood in Japan through the eyes of five children.

The visit began in a typical Japanese classroom, where each of the five friends had a desk for visitors to explore.

After preparing lunch and helping the five friends clean the classroom, as kids do in Japan, visitors followed each of the five friends home to learn about their families.  Visitors explored Aisa’s grandfather’s tofu shop, where they learned about Japanese cuisine.

They visited Ken’s traditional bedroom, with tatami and a futon and a place to explore Japanese calligraphy.

Sakiko’s modern bedroom, where she shared her manga comics, and her devotion to fashion:

Shoko’s family living room, where she shared her passion for music and wagashi, a traditional Japanese sweet treat.

And Yasuke’s yard, where visitors practiced aikido with the help of a “shadow master”:

The exhibit debuted at Boston Children’s Museum and then traveled to children’s museums across the nation.