Snuff Holder Exhibition, Tobacco and Salt Museum exhibits about 280 items from around the world
The Museum of Tobacco and Salt in Sumida-ku, Tokyo will hold a special exhibition titled "Snuff Tobacco Holders: Small Containers That Fascinated People" on September 21 (Sat) ~ December 22 (Sun), 2024. The exhibition will feature about 280 snuff containers from all over the world. (Photo: Courtesy of the Museum of Tobacco and Salt)
Snuff comes from a Native American custom and is used in the form of inhalation of powdered tobacco through the nose. It spread to Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, and then to China and other Asian countries. Special exhibitions introduce the history of snuff tobacco and allow visitors to appreciate its value as an art craft that makes full use of exquisite techniques, such as European snuff boxes, Chinese snuff jars, and Japan ones. Lectures and demonstration events are also planned for November.
Admission is 100 yen for adults, 50 yen for those over 65 years old, and 50 yen for elementary, junior high, and high school students. The museum is open from 10 a.m. ~ 5 p.m. (30 minutes before the last admission). The museum is closed on Mondays, and on public holidays, it is closed the following day. Access is about a 10-minute walk from Oshiage Station and Tokyo Skytree Station.
Curator Higa commented on the exhibition, "Many of the exhibits were donated, and snuff holders with various materials and unique shapes are on display.
The Tobacco and Salt Museum was established in 1978 by the Japan Monopoly Corporation (now JT) and moved from Shibuya to its current location in Sumida Ward in 2013.
