金沢蓄音器館

About The Museum

"Mary had a little lamb…"
Thomas Edison's epoch-making invention came to life with these lyrics in 1877.
Originally called a "vocal resuscitator" because it brought back to life the human voice, the phonograph was gradually transformed into an entertainment device used for musical entertainment. The first records were cylinders made of wax. These soon evolved into flat disks, and later on into SP records which turned at 78 rpm. After World War II, they evolved into LP and EP records, tapes, and most recently into CDs. The technological innovations which brought on the transition from the analog age to the digital age were truly remarkable.
The Kanazawa Phonograph Museum showcases the Yamachiku Collection. A leading collection in Japan, it was collected by the owner of a record shop in Kanazawa, Hiroshi Yokaichiya, over a period of more than 50 years. The collection contains 540 well-maintained phonographs and 20,000 SP record discs, all of which produce beautiful music.
Many people have never seen phonographs or heard their sounds. However, they are now gaining renewed attention, as their warm sounds are said to be helpful for relaxation and healing.
Please immerse yourself in a world of sound beyond space and time.

History of the Phonograph

Floor Map

3F Explore the history of the phonograph

Exhibition of phonographs

• Historical phonographs used in the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras are on exhibit.
• The history of phonographs and sound mechanics are outlined in an exhibition of a wax cylinder phonograph invented by Edison and the various parts that make up a phonograph.
• Learn about phonographs and the history of this technology on the computer.
• Listen to LP records of your choice in the listening corner.

2F Enjoy the sound of phonographs

Exhibition of phonographs and records, listening corner

• Because SP records can only be played back a certain number of times before the grooves are chafed down and rendered unplayable, listening to them on phonographs is a precious experience. Compare the sound from the phonograph invented by Edison and that from a more technically advanced phonograph. Can you tell the difference between them?
• Records from various periods are on displayed, occasionally introduced through pictures and video presentations.

1F Experience and learn about phonograph music

Concert salon, multi-purpose hall

• Several times a month, we hold themed SP-disc appreciation gatherings and mini-concerts by invited guests.
• A reproducing piano made in America in 1927 by the company Mason & Hamlin with Ampico is on display. It can play back the performances of famous pianists using perforated paper music rolls.
• Original products related to this museum can be purchased in the museum shop.

Information

Hours

10:00 AM - 5:30 PM (Visitors allowed to enter until 5:00 PM)
Phonograph Demonstrations, 3 times a day
(11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM)
Reproducing Piano Demonstrations, Sundays only
(10:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 3:30 PM)

Closed

Starting in July 2021,the museum will be closed on Tuesdays (or the next weekday if Tuesday is a holiday) and during the New Year's Holiday (Dec. 29th - Jan. 3rd)
The museum may also be closed due to various circumstances such as exhibition set ups.

Admission

General	¥310
Over 65 years of age	¥210
Groups of over 20	¥260
High school students and under	Free

*Additional fees may be charged for special exhibitions.

Kanazawa Phonograph Museum

Owari-cho 2-11-21 Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0902

TEL:076-232-3066 FAX:076-232-3079

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