Tokutomi Soho went from Kumamoto Western School to Doshisha University for his studies and returned to Kumamoto when he was 17. In 1882 at the age of 19, he opened his private school Oe Gijuku, published his book "The Future Japan," and then moved to Tokyo. His brother Tokutomi Kenjiro (who used the penname Tokutomi Roka), who was 5 years younger, would go on to attract the attention of the literary world with his masterpieces "The Cuckoo" and "Nature and Man." When the Shinpuren rebellion broke out in October 1876, Kenjiro witnessed the flaming townscape from the mezzanine floor of his residence, and later wrote about it in "Osoroshiki Ichiya" (A terrifying night). Many historical items and books related to the Tokutomi brothers are on display in the museum. The catalpa trees in museum’s garden that are covered in elegant white flowers every May grew from seeds given to the Tokutomi’s by Soho’s mentor Joseph Hardy Neesima as a souvenir from America. Please visit the website "Kumamoto Culture" for events and the latest information.