The Philip J. Stephens Award Lecture will be held at the Soto-Goshoin Hall of the Saga Castle Honmaru History Museum, one of Saga's most renowned historical landmarks (https://saga-museum.jp/sagajou/language/english/).

Saga Castle served as the residence of the Nabeshima clan, rulers of the Saga Domain during the Edo period. The Edo period (1603-1868) was a major era in Japanese history characterized by rule under the Tokugawa shogunate. The Saga Castle Honmaru History Museum preserves and showcases the reconstructed main palace of the castle and offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the history and culture of Saga. The museum is particularly notable for its magnificent traditional wooden architecture, making it one of the largest reconstructed wooden palace buildings in Japan.

The Award Lecture will take place in the museum's Soto-Goshoin Hall, a ceremonial reception hall that once served as an important venue for official gatherings of the Saga Domain.

Before the Award Lecture, a guided tour of the Saga Castle Honmaru History Museum will be organized for conference participants, starting at approximately 15:30. We hope this tour will offer a memorable introduction to the rich history and culture of Saga. Further details, including the meeting arrangements and any schedule updates, will be communicated to participants at a later date.

Saga Castle History Museum, venue of the Award Lecture. Photo courtesy of Saga Castle History Museum.