[Handa city] Return to your Childhood Memories, "Niimi Nankichi Memorial Museum"

Picture books and fairy tales that we read as children. Among them, many of you may remember the story of "Gongitsune (Gon, the little fox)".

The works of its creator, Nankichi Niimi, continue to be loved not only by children but by all generations, and continue to fascinate not only in Japan but also overseas.

The exhibits introducing Nankichi's works and life are on display at Niimi Nankichi Memorial Museum in Handa City, Aichi Prefecture. In addition to the memorial hall, there is also a café and a walk in the surrounding forest, making this a spot where visitors can enjoy a full day of fun.

A forest and memorial museum that recreates the world of fairy tales

Niimi Nankichi Memorial Museum has a unique undulating exterior. It is designed so as not to disturb the harmony with nature.

"Forest of Fairy Tales" where trees grow thickly

Niimi Nankichi Memorial Museum opened in Handa City in 1994. It is located in Nakayama, which is also the setting for Nankichi's work "Gongitsune".

On the grounds with a wide expanse of lawn, there is the "Forest of Fairy Tales"' with lush trees and the "Niimi Nankichi Memorial Museum" with its impressive undulating buildings.

The wavy part is the roof of the memorial building, so the entrance is located underground down the slope. The reason why the building was built in the basement is that if it were built as it is, it would spoil the surrounding scenery, so it seems that it was intentionally made to maintain this kind of harmony.

The leading role is not the building, but the scenery including the Forest of Fairy Tales. Nankichi's view of the world has already started from here.

The life of Nankichi Niimi

Nankichi Niimi is a children's literature author from Aichi Prefecture Handa City.

Shohachi (Nankichi) was born in 1913 in Yanabe, Handa-cho, Chita-gun (now Handa City) as the second son of the Watanabe family, who ran a tatami shop.

His mother died when he was very young, and he lived with his new mother and father. When Nankichi was eight years old, he was adopted by the Niimi family, as his grandmother was the only member of the Niimi family on his deceased mother's side. He started living with his grandmother, but after a few months he returned to the Watanabe family because he felt too lonely. However, he kept the Niimi family name for the rest of his life.

When he was a substitute teacher at Handa Second General Elementary School, who wrote “Gongitsune” Provided by: Niimi Nankichi Memorial Museum

He first became interested in literature when he was in the second grade of junior high school. He read voraciously and submitted nursery rhymes and stories to magazines. By the time he graduated from junior high school, he was second in the grade point. Since junior high school at that time was a five-year school system, after graduating at the age of 18, he became a substitute teacher at the elementary school of his alma mater.

In 1931, children's stories and nursery rhymes began to be published in the magazine "Red Bird". And later widely known "Gongitsune" was also published in this magazine.

In the spring of the following year, he entered the current Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. He begins living in the home of Seika Tatsumi, whom he admires as an older brother and who is also the author of the nursery rhyme "Takibi (open fire)."

In Tokyo, surrounded by excellent poets such as Tatsumi, Hakushu Kitahara and Junichi Yoda, he developed his literary talent, but at the age of 20 he fell ill.

Nankichi when he attended Tokyo Foreign Language School Provided by: Niimi Nankichi Memorial Museum

He returned to his hometown Handa for a while to recuperate, but after graduation he went to work in Tokyo. However, he fell ill again and returned to Handa. After that, he worked at what is now Anjo High School. After a lull in his career, he produced many works, and at the age of 27, just as he was becoming well known as a writer of children's stories, he was struck by illness again and died at the young age of 29.

He wrote more than 1,500 books, including children's stories such as "Gongitsune," "To Buy a Glove," "Grandpa's Lamp," and "The Flower Village and the Thieves," as well as nursery rhymes, poetry, novels, and a wide variety of other works.

Among them, "Gongitsune" is so popular that it has been included in Japanese language textbooks for fourth grade elementary school students since 1980. Although the ending is sad, it is a very profound work in the sense that it nurtures the ability to think for oneself and to learn from it.

Fulfilling materials and exhibits! The museum full of charm

Can you spot the fox?

Now, let's introduce the inside of the building!

In addition to the stylish design of the exterior, the inside of the building also has a mysterious structure with high ceilings. It looks like a maze, but don't worry! The directions are well marked.

The hint is on the floor! What a footprint of a fox... The different colors also have meanings: yellow is for able-bodied people and green is for people with disabilities.

But wait! If you only pay attention to the floor, you will miss the cute foxes. In fact, seven foxes are lurking in the museum.

Find out where they are!

A realistic reproduction of the world of fairy tales!

Following in the footsteps of Kitsune is an exhibition room. This room has a wealth of exhibits, including panels explaining Nankichi's works and life, as well as his handwritten notebooks and other materials he used at the time. It is said to be rare to find such a large collection.

One of the highlights is the realistic reproduction of tools and scenes from fairy tales!

"Harikiri net" that appears in Gongitsune.

A hunting rifle used by the person who became the model for Hyoju in the fairy tale.

This is "Harikiri Net" and "Hinawa-jyu (matchlock)" from the children's story "Gongitsune". Nankichi's works are characterized by the fact that many of his tales are based on the theme of everyday life, animals, and plants.

The tree on which this lamp hangs is modeled after his later work, "Grandpa's Lamp."

This is a set of "To buy gloves". The scene where the baby fox is trying to put his hand through the hat shop door. The snow is also produced properly, and the story is remembered realistically.

The elaborate diorama model is also a must-see!

Well, there is still more to see. A diorama that elaborately reproduces the world of fairy tales.

This is the diorama of "To buy gloves", but each scene is carefully and elaborately reproduced.

This is a diorama of "Gongitsune". Knowing the story doubles the fun! Although it is a doll, it is faithfully reproduced down to the smallest details.

Fairy tales and books from around the world are also available!

There is also a library on site. In addition to Nankichi's works, there are also fairy tales from around the world and folk tales from all over Japan. Even if you do not use the exhibition room, it is fine to use only the library (which is free)

In addition, there is also a video section and a commemorative stamp!

The video theater is where you can enjoy not only books but also movies. "Gongitsune" will be screened in odd-numbered months, and "To buy gloves" will be screened in even-numbered months.

This audio-visual corner is recommended for core Nankichi fans! You can watch videos of handwritten manuscripts, diaries, letters, etc.

There is also a section where you can press commemorative stamps.

This is the special exhibition section. Unlike the permanent exhibition, the content of this section changes four times a year. This time, the contents focus on 1942, the year before his death (until November 6, 2022).

The "Gon no Aki Matsuri (Gon's Autumn Festival)", held every year when 3 million higanbana (cluster amaryllis) bloom along a 1.5-km stretch of the Yakachi River bank from east to west. Is scheduled for late September to early October in 2022.

*Please contact us for details.