Back in Time at Takayama's Showakan

[Solo Travel in Japan/Chapter Seven Takayama] 4# Back in Time at Takayama's Showakan

Discover 昭和館 (Showakan): A Nostalgic Bridge Between Eras

昭和館, located in Takayama and Yufuin, isn’t just a museum, it’s a sensory time machine. Exhibiting real artifacts and recreated streets from Japan’s Showa era, it preserves the spirit of handmade craftsmanship, emotional storytelling, and post-war resilience. Their mission? To pass on the warmth, strength, and creativity of the past to future generations through immersive, heartfelt experiences.

More info: https://showakan.jp/about/?id=concept

Definitions:

Shōwakan" (昭和館) refers to the era of Japanese history during the reign of Emperor Shōwa (Hirohito) from 1926 to 1989.

The Heisei era (平成) in Japan, which spanned from 1989 to 2019, is generally understood to mean "achieving peace" or "becoming peaceful". It is composed of two kanji characters: "平" (hei), meaning "peace" or "level," and "成" (sei), meaning "to become" or "to achieve". This era began with the ascension of Emperor Akihito to the throne following the death of his father, Emperor Hirohito, and ended with Akihito's abdication. Emperor Akihito of Japan abdicated the throne on April 30, 2019, becoming the first Japanese monarch to do so in over 200 years. This historic event marked the end of the Heisei era and the beginning of the Reiwa era with the accession of his son, Emperor Naruhito.

Onko Chishin (温故知新) is a Japanese idiom that translates to "learn new things by studying the past" or "gain new insights by reviewing the old". It emphasizes the idea of drawing wisdom and inspiration from past knowledge and experiences to understand the present and create something new.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

温故 (onko): Means "to review the old" or "to study the past".
知新 (chishin): Means "to know the new" or "to gain new knowledge".

Therefore, the phrase "Onko Chishin" encapsulates the concept of learning from history, tradition, and past knowledge to develop a deeper understanding of the present and to foster innovation and progress. It highlights the importance of balancing tradition with the pursuit of new ideas and knowledge.