The first museum director, Hatakeyama Issē (28 December 1881 - 17 November 1971）was the founder of Ebara Corporation.

Hatakeyama's collection was moved to a museum he built in 1964 next to his residence as he planned to preserve it for many years and hold exhibitions for the public as well as support researchers.

[1] There is a tea house called Shō-an in the museum building, and those in the garden are for rent; Sara-an, Sui-an, Meigetsuken, Shin zashiki, Jōrakutei and Bishamondō.

Centered on tea utensils, the collection consists of old Japanese, Chinese and Korean works of art such as paintings, calligraphic writings, pottery, lacquer items and Noh costumes.

Of the circa 1,300 objects in the collection, 6 are National Treasures and 32 have been designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan.