travel asia japan toba mikimoto pearl island mikimoto kokichi memorial hall
The Mikimoto Kokichi Memorial Hall is a beautiful modern interpretation of traditional Japanese style architecture located on the south side of the island.
The displays are beautifully and lovingly done with back-lit photos, information plaques, and artifacts from Kokichi Mikimoto's life (1858-1954) within the context of Japan's history.
Explanatory displays alternately refer to the developer of the first cultured pearl as Mikimoto Kokichi and Kokichi Mikomoto adding a bit of confusion to western visitors.
All indications are that Mikimoto was the family name and Kokichi his given name.
The memorial is all on one level and easily accessible.
You could walk through in about five minutes, but there is plenty of interesting displays and photos that would take you at least an hour to fully understand.
Below, I have shown a few of the displays.
LINK TO WIKIPEDIA'S WEB PAGE ON MIKIMOTO KOKICHI
TRAVEL: 2020
This location has earned an over-all four star (very good) rating from
Travel Fanatics Unlimited
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unless noted otherwise all images copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc
Exterior of Mikimoto Kokichi Memorial Hall, Mikimoto Pearl Island, Toba, Japan, 2020.
Exterior detail of Mikimoto Kokichi Memorial Hall, Mikimoto Pearl Island, Toba, Japan, 2020.
Introductory plaque, Mikimoto Kokichi Memorial Hall, Mikimoto Pearl Island, Toba, Japan, 2020.
Reproduction of the Udon shop where Mikimoto was born, Mikimoto Kokichi Memorial Hall, Mikimoto Pearl Island, Toba, Japan, 2020.
Model of Toba in 1893, Mikimoto Kokichi Memorial Hall, Mikimoto Pearl Island, Toba, Japan, 2020.
Display on Mikimoto's childhood, Mikimoto Kokichi Memorial Hall, Mikimoto Pearl Island, Toba, Japan, 2020.
Display on Mikimoto's schooling, Mikimoto Kokichi Memorial Hall, Mikimoto Pearl Island, Toba, Japan, 2020.
Display on learning the business, Mikimoto Kokichi Memorial Hall, Mikimoto Pearl Island, Toba, Japan, 2020.
Display on opening the pearl farm and seeking the perfectly round pearl, Mikimoto Kokichi Memorial Hall, Mikimoto Pearl Island, Toba, Japan, 2020.
Display on Kokichi's business staff, Mikimoto Kokichi Memorial Hall, Mikimoto Pearl Island, Toba, Japan, 2020.
The Mikimoto gargoyle design using Chineese elements, Mikimoto Kokichi Memorial Hall, Mikimoto Pearl Island, Toba, Japan, 2020.
Tribute to wife, Ume, Mikimoto Kokichi Memorial Hall, Mikimoto Pearl Island, Toba, Japan, 2020.
copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc
page last revised october 2020