The theme of this museum is the best-selling novel by Shiba Ryotaro (1923-1996) which relates the life of the poet Shiki Masaoka (1867-1902) and the Akiyama brothers, Saneyuki (1868-1918) and Yoshifuru (1859-1930), who played a key role in the modernization of the Imperial army after the Meiji restoration. The exhibitions are more largely devoted to Japan's move towards modernity in the early 20C. The building was designed by world famous architect, Ando Tadao.