The Otzrot BaHoma (Treasures in the walls) Museum in Ancient Acre: In a historic building hundreds of rare artifacts illustrate the life and folklore of 19th Century Galilee.
A nostalgic journey that begins two hundred years ago and ends deep the attic.

The heavy cannons set around the walls of the Museums entrance courtyard, tell a story of their own: it is easy to imagine the Ottoman soldiers running to take their spot beside the cannons. Try to guess which of those titled Napoleon’s cannon really participated in the famous battle, at whose end, after a two months seize on Acre, Napoleon was forced to retreat.

A room in The “Otzrot BaHoma” Museum, showing items from the late 19th century in the Galilee

But the true reason for coming here lies in between the folds of the eastern city’s walls: here, in a 200 years old Ottoman building, you will find the gem – the Otzrot BaHoma Museum.

The building embraces its intriguing history, which begins in the days of the tyrant ruler of the area, Ahmed Al-Jazzar Pasha who had built the wall, and ends with the British who used the halls as storehouses and stables for their horses. Originally the space was built as a military base for the Ottoman garrison who protected the cannon posts and the city. The square construction is submerged into the 60 cm thick wall, more familiar by its French name, Burge-el-commandar – the commander´s tower.

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In the course of the last ten years the building has been abandoned, neglected and filled with waste, but this not only did not deter, but rather challenged Dan Hortman and Michael Louria, two passionate collectors who took the initiative and against all the odds and bureaucratic obstacles founded this unique museum. Thanks to the assistance of many volunteers and supporters, they turned the dream to reality, and today the Museum is directed by the Galileeim Association, established for the cause.

The Museum’s magic stem from the rare combination of the wonderfully preserved original halls and the thousands of artifacts on display. The collections document the material culture in the Galilee since the end of the 19th century until the beginning of the 20th. A recent history we often tend to forget.
It is amazing to hear the reactions of visitors fascinated by the “attic exhibition”, looking with nostalgia at toys, books and kitchen utensils from the nineteen fifties.

On the Right: Between the folds of The Eastern Wall, the museum is located. In the photograph next to: a pharmacy from the 1940s

Another wing in the Museum is dedicated to the traditional craftsmen who used to work in the old city’s markets – the milliner, the leather worker, the tinsmith and the blacksmith, along with other professions long gone, are authentically commemorated here, together with the original tools that were in use before these crafts became a rarity.
The Museum further houses shell set Damascene sofas, a collection of cosmetics, a collection of oil lamps, a pharmacy from the nineteen forties, ceremonial objects of the three religions and more.
The Museum displays temporary exhibitions. In September the Museum will present its rare collection of Happy New Year cards from the State’s first years.

And if you happen to be in the area…
In 2001 UNESKO declared Ancient Acre as a world heritage site, thanks to a unique historic blend of brilliantly preserved buildings from the times of the Crusaders and typical Ottoman sites such as the Fort, Mosques, public bath houses and more.
A trip to Acre combines historic and archeological sites, museums, a vibrant and colorful market and a human mosaic that gives the city its special character.

A classic visit to Acre must include the impressive Knights’ Halls, the Turkish bath house, Khan al-Umdan and the clock tower, the Templars’ tunnel, the prison and the Underground Prisoners’ Museum, as well as the Ramhal Synagogue located in a special grand building that has been recently restored. Walking on the walls at sunset is a chance to enjoy the light breeze that blows from the sea, and the lovely views from the port that some call the prettiest fishermen’s’ port in Israel, and rightly so.

The Attic (“Boydem”) Exhibition at the Museum

The Otzrot BaHoma Museum, Weizman St’ 2, The Eastern Wall- Old City of Acre
Tel: 04-9911004
Museum Photos: Aharon Rodan

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In Japan the hobby of kite flying has risen to an art form. Forty types of kites are exhibited at the Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art.

Japanese kites are among the most spectacular in the world and as a sport they arouse great enthusiasm…. The kites are constructed on a frame of bamboo or another resilient wood, covered with Japanese paper (washi) made from the bark of a tree of the mulberry family (kozo) and then decorated in colour. Most kite artists draw with ink and brush, though nowadays some use silkscreen or offset printing. The subjects and embellishments favoured by kite artists are: fabled warriors, historical and mythological figures, the Buddhist monk Daruma, the Seven Gods of Good Luck – Shichifukujin, sumo fighters, kabuki actors, tortoises and cranes to symbolize longevity, carp, symbolizing strength and courage, insects, birds and geometric forms. Kites are constructed in varying dimensions, from the tiny ones only a few centimetres in length, to the giant kites of twenty metres which require special expertise to fly them successfully.

During the Edo era, kite-flying became a popular sport quite distinct from any religious tradition. If we look at woodblock prints from the same period, the skies of Edo were filled with kites. At that time the middle classes were flourishing, becoming a more permissive society. Their many amusements led to the development of the woodblock prints (ukiyo-e) depicting this life-style. Multicolored illustrations from the Kabuki Theatre and the entertainment districts were produced in great numbers. It was this atmosphere at the end of the Edo era which led to the development of the kite as a form of recreation. The kite craze was particularly popular among the merchant classes, who shared their enjoyment with the entire community. Kites were very popular with the middle classes, who flew them over the castle-walls of the barons to ‘see them from above’. This was ultimately forbidden by the shoguns, who claimed that the kites invaded their privacy. Kite wars (tako gassen) attracted excited crowds during the Edo era, especially businessmen and public officials. The spectators became the judges as the giant kites were pitted against each other by teams standing on opposite sides of a river.

The Battle Kites of Shirone
Kite wars still attract great crowds. During the Kite Festival (tako-kichi matsuri), the skies are filled with fighting kites, and the celebrations in May at Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Province, and in June in Shirone in the Niigata Province, are renowned. Documents from the Edo era confirm that the Hamamatsu festival began in 1558, when Sabashi Jingoro, a servant of one of the feudal barons, flew a giant kite to celebrate the birth of the Prince Yoshihiro. Hamamatsu kites are 3.3 metres square, and weigh 10 kilograms. Sharp objects such as splinters of glass or powdered glass are attached to the kite-string, to sever the string of the opposing kite and bring it tumbling down.

The first kite battle was apparently waged in Shirone in the eighteenth century. According to the story, when the local inhabitants constructed a canal to irrigate their rice paddies, the completion of the work was celebrated with kite-flying. Another story relates that the villagers on each side of the canal had a disagreement, so in order to prevent civil strife, the warrior Mizoguchi suggested settling the dispute with a kite battle. Yet another variant recounts the tale of a great kite which, sent to heaven on the wings of the wind, crossed the canal in its flight, crashed on a roof on the far side and disintegrated. This caused such damage and confusion that a counterattack was launched. In the second week of June, everyone gathers for a kite contest between the villages. Every afternoon, for seven days, participants fly 7×5 metre kites weighing 40 kilograms each. They are launched against each other by teams of seven to fifteen men standing on opposite banks of a nearby river. The object is, of course, to topple the enemy kite into the water. Each team has its own techniques based on the direction of the prevailing winds. They are allowed to use up to twelve kites a day, thus allowing them a chance to improve their score. Participants wear jackets (happi) bearing the emblem of their team.

Today, Japanese artists sign their kites which are then displayed as artistic creations to be acquired by collectors. In addition, thanks to a revival of interest in the old ways, in some areas of Japan, artists are attempting to preserve local methods of construction and traditional motifs. As with other Japanese folk arts, the kite represents the district in which it was made, and offers us a savour of Japan in olden times (The exhibition will be closed on 31/12/2017).

A Short Visit to Japan
A visit to the Tikotin Museum on Mount Carmel in Haifa is a fascinating opportunity to get closely acquainted with Japanese art and culture. The museum is one of the only museums in the world devoted entirely to Japanese art and displays a staggering 7,000 exhibits of Japanese art. The display includes a variety of paintings, prints, drawings, decorated antique books, ceramics, miniature sculptures (netsuke), lacquer and metalwork, antique swords, tea ceremony ceramics, art objects dating from the 14th – 19th centuries and a collection of modern Japanese art.

Japanese art allows you to encounter a view of a different culture with unique characteristics. Painting is the most popular form of expression in Japan and is usually done on paper or silk. The subjects of the paintings are many and varied, addressing nature and landscapes, heroic scenes, birds and flowers, and more.
Woodblock prints have also become an important element in Japanese art, representing life, landscapes, customs, lifestyle and traditional Japanese attire.

The exhibitions in the museum change once every three months, according to the seasons of the year, various events and due to the sensitivity of Japanese paintings and prints to the influence of light and weather conditions.
TIKOTIN MUSEUM OF JAPANESE ART,
89 Hanassi Blvd., Haifa
To the Museum Website click here

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