Beni Museum
A Museum Introducing the History and Culture of Beni and Makeup
Beni Museum is run by Isehan Honten, the last remaining Beni shop continuing on the tradition dating back to the Edo period. It offers various materials conveying the skills of making Beni handed down since Isehan Honten’s founding in 1825, as well as the history and culture of makeup.
Please apply Beni for yourself in our adjacent hands-on zone.
Beni Museum is the place where you can understand and learn about Beni, as well as experience its beauty firsthand.
Room1
About “Beni”
Beni is made by extracting pigment from safflower. Since ancient times, it has been used in products such as dyes and makeup, and reached the height of its prosperity during the Edo period. At the exhibits, you will learn about the production and distribution of safflower, as well as the trade techniques (advertising/selling) of Beni merchants, how Beni is made, and the customs surrounding Beni through models, videos, and related materials.
Restoration model of Beni shop “Isehan”
Late of 19th century (1/30 scale)
Beni making tools
Amulets
Mid-19th century - Early 20th century
Room2
Strides of Makeup
Looks back on the history of makeup in Japan with a primary focus on the Edo period. Introduces actual makeup kits used by Edo women as well as makeup techniques mastering the three colors of red (for lips, cheeks, etc.), white (face powder), and black (lashes and Ohaguro), as told through Ukiyo-e and other illustrative resources. The exhibits also offers an overview of the transformation in lipsticks from the Beni-choco of the Edo period to the lipstick of the Showa period (1926-1989).
Mirror vanity box and Makeup tools
19th century
“Four Seasons: Winter”
Gototei Kunisada(circa 1818-30)
Lipsticks and Blushers
20th century
- ＜Beni Digital Library＞
- On a tablet, browse through beauty books published in the Edo period and makeup catalogs, and other materials related to Isehan Honten (Commercial film, etc.)
Free Beni Application
All visitors are welcome to try our complimentary Komachi-beni application service. The color changes depending on the quantity applied, the amount of water used when dissolving, and the person’s lip color. Enjoy the deep, beautiful tones of Komachi-beni by either applying it on your lips or the back of your hand.
Museum Shop
At the Museum Shop, you can purchase Komachi-beni, as well as other safflower-related products and Beni Museum original goods. Gift wrapping available.
Information
- ADDRESS
- 1F K's Minami Aoyama Building,6-6-20 Minami Aoyama,
Minato-ku,Tokyo 107-0062, JAPAN
- TEL
- +(81)3-5467-3735
- HOURS
- 10:00 - 17:00
- CLOSED
- Sundays, Mondays, July 7 and the New Year holidays
- ADMISSION
- Free (except special exhibitions)
Access
- Subway
- Omotesando station of the Ginza, Hanzomon and Chiyoda lines: 12-minute walk from Exit B1 (stairs only), 13-minute walk from Exit B3 (elevator and escalator available).
- Toei Bus
- 1-minute walk from Minami Aoyama 7-chome bus stop on the Toei (Metropolitan Bus) 01 or 88 that runs between Shibuya and Shimbashi Stations.
Public transportation
By Train
Contact
We will only use your personal information for the purpose of responding to your inquiries, opinions and comments.
- Inquiries by E-mail
- mail@isehan.co.jp