‘Treasures from Hirado’ celebrates the 400th anniversary of the opening of trade and cultural ties between Britain and Japan, and features artifacts never before seen in the UK. Alongside the broader impact of western trade on Japan, the exhibition focuses on William Adams, a native of Gillingham in Kent, who was the first Englishman to reach Japan. Adams became a confidant of Japan’s ruler (Shogun) and was buried in Hirado. This exhibition is held in association with the Matsura Historical Museum, Hirado and is part of the Japan400 series of events.
For more information about the exhibition and opening times (10-5 Mon-Sat, 12-4 Sun.), please see the Museum’s website here.
20 July – 2 November 2013
Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery
St Faith’s Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1LH
Free entry
