A world-class art museum in Atami

The large 4-meter-high door that greets visitors at the main entrance is already a work of art. The work was done by Kazumi Murose, a lacquer artist well known to Nakada and a living national treasure in the makie lacquer technique. The work was created using the Negoro technique, in which red lacquer is applied on top of a black lacquer undercoat, and the unique colors and luster of the lacquer work can be seen on a giant scale, reminding us of the beauty and potential of this representative Japanese material.

The MOA Museum of Art, located on a hill in Atami City, is a popular spot for its panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. The museum opened in 1982, following the wishes of Mokichi Okada, founder of the Hakone Art Museum and the man who laid the foundation for the MOA Art Museum, who wished to build another world-class art museum in Atami and introduce Japan’s outstanding traditional culture to people around the world. The museum was renovated in 2017 by the New Materials Research Institute, led by contemporary artist Hiroshi Sugimoto and architect Michiyuki Sakakida. Despite its name, Shinsozai Kenkyusho is an architectural firm that works on modern reinterpretations and revivals of materials and techniques used in ancient, medieval, and early modern times. The new MOA Museum of Art also uses traditional Japanese materials and techniques such as Yaku cedar, gyosha cedar, black plaster, and tatami mats.

“The MOA Museum of Art” exhibition

Of course, the main attraction of the exhibition is the wealth of works on display. The collection of approximately 3,500 Japanese and Chinese works collected by Mokichi Okada ranges from national treasures such as Korin Ogata’s “Red and White Plum Blossoms,” “Hanbokjo” by Tegami, and Ninsei Nonomura’s “Tea Jar with Iroe and Fuji Flower Design,” to Buddhist statues, pottery, ancient documents, ancient Chinese and Korean ceramics, and paintings. The museum also houses many works designated as Important Cultural Properties and Important Art Objects for the purpose of protecting valuable Japanese cultural assets. The “Golden Tea Room” is based on the historical fact that Toyotomi Hideyoshi brought an assembled golden tea room to the Kyoto Imperial Palace to offer tea to Emperor Shojincho, and the restored house where Ogata Korin is said to have spent his last years and painted the “Red and White Plum Folding Screen.

The attention to detail in the display of the works is also excellent. The large exhibition space is divided by black plaster walls to prevent the works from being reflected in other exhibits, and the lighting is a little dimmer than in other museums, based on the concept of “viewing artworks in the light of the Muromachi period. The display cases are made of low-reflective, high-transparency glass, which prevents light and one’s own face from being reflected in the glass, giving the illusion that the works are right in front of you. It is said that many visitors often hit their heads against the glass as they become immersed in the work. Enjoying hot springs and gourmet food in Atami is fine, but it is also a good idea to sharpen your senses by experiencing the many works of art at the MOA Art Museum.

NIHONMONO – 「にほん」の「ほんも…

色彩と文様の天才·芹沢銈介に触れられる「静岡市立芹沢銈介美術館」／静岡県静岡市 – NIHONMONO 「静岡市立芹沢銈介美術館」 静岡市の登呂公園にある「静岡市立芹沢銈介美術館」は、染色工芸家で人間国宝の芹沢銈介

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Surrounded by a garden and paintings

Adachi Museum of Art is sometimes referred to as “Taikan Art Museum”. Adachi Museum of Art owns over 130 works by the Japanese painter Taikan Yokoyama, and is the largest private art museum both in quality and quantity in all of Japan.

The founder, the late Zenkou Adachi was an established entrepreneur, who became a great collector of Japanese paintings and opened Adachi Museum of Art in 1970. Zenkou Adachi once said, “I wish for people to come in touch with the beauty of the four seasons in the Japanese garden, and with that impression in mind, understand the charm of Taikan Yokoyama and Japanese paintings. And then experience the art of Japanese paintings and “being moved by art.”” One cannot help but stop to gaze at the beautiful expanse of the Japanese garden at the museum.

Japanese gardens are also highly regarded overseas

The garden has been voted “Best Garden in Japan” 7 years in a row since 2003 by the American journal of Japanese gardens “ Journal of Japanese Gardening”, and is the only place which was given the high grade “three stars” in the Sanin area. It is a certified scenic spot.

Stepping into the museum, a painting by Taikan Yokoyama welcomes visitors. But that is not all. An impressive array of works by artists ranging from present to the Meiji period such as Tessai Tomioka, Gyokudo Kawai, and Ikuo Hirayama who passed away in 2009 are on exhibit. To be moved by beauty of nature composed by the four seasons and art fabricated by human, the splendour of Japan is concentrated here in Adachi Museum of Art.
It is a place to deeply submerge in the beauty and art of Japan.

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