Japanese Art & Japanese culture

This art museum exhibits a Japanese art collection assembled over three generations of the Hosomi family, which made its fortune in business. The collection covers crafts over all periods in Japanese history. These works range from excavated articles dating back to ancient times at the birth of Japanese civilization to pieces from the Edo period when samurai were active, as well as modern exhibits. The museum is particularly well-known for its high standard of its Edo period paintings. It holds exhibitions several times a year on seasonal themes. The "Rimpa School" exhibition is particularly popular and attracts a lot of visitors.
* The Rimpa School is said to have made a large impact on impressionist schools in Europe.

The museum shop in the subbasement is highly popular for its selection of tasteful goods which make perfect gifts. There is a tea-ceremony room on the top floor, giving visitors an easy opportunity to experience the traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

The Collections

The museum's collection includes works from all periods and genres of Japanese art. These range from Buddhist art nearly 1,000 years old to Japanese-style paintings, decorative art, and tea ceremony utensils.
Particularly popular is the "Rimpa school" decorative art; the most famous of its kind in Japan, created by Tawaraya Sotatsu and Ogata Korin. The graphical designs are so modern it is hard to believe they were created hundreds of years ago. Many visitors come especially to see these exhibits, and a Rimpa school exhibition is also held once every year.
There is also an excellent collection of works by the Edo period painter, Ito Jakuchu. Ito's paintings are elaborate with realistic depictions, and there are collectors of his work even in the West.

 

 

Notes

The museum is located close to Okazaki-koen Park, where there are a large number of art museums and galleries.
The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto and the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art are both within walking distance. The Heian-jingu Shrine is also located nearby.

This is an independent museum established by a Kyoto artist active in the modern era, Insho Domoto (1891-1975), when he was 75. The building is engraved with a novel relief (sculpture) and both the outside and interior were designed by Domoto himself.
The museum's works cover a variety of genres including oil paintings, abstract paintings, and sculptures, giving visitors a feel for Domoto's diverse talents. The residence where Domoto actually lived before his death still remains in the house next door across the street, and it is used as a venue for events such as lectures.

The Collections

The collection covers Domoto's life works from his first work to his most famous works produced in his later years. Domoto produced works using a variety of painting styles from orthodox Japanese-style paintings featuring nature to abstract paintings that evoke memories of Picasso. Visitors can sense this ever‐changing nature from his body of work.
The museum building was designed by Domoto himself. Virtually all of the building is made up of Domoto's works including the walls, door knobs, stained glass windows, and chairs for resting. It could be said that the art museum itself is a work of art.

 

 

Notes

Opposite the museum is the Ritsumeikan University and if you walk through the campus you will come to a temple called Toji-in. This temple is well-known for its wonderful garden and visitors can enjoy powdered green tea there while observing the garden.
The street at the front of the museum is called the "Kinukake no Michi" (Draped Silk Road), which leads to the Kinkaku-ji Temple if you go up the hill, or the Ryoan-ji Temple with its famous rock garden if you go down the hill. If you enter the main road, you can walk to the Hirano-jinja Shrine, which is a well-known cherry blossom tree spot in the spring.

This commemorative museum makes use of the expansive "Hakusan Sonso" residence constructed over 30 years from 1916 by the Japanese‐style painter, Hashimoto Kansetsu, who was active from the Taisho to the Showa periods (early 20th century). The building and garden were all designed by Hashimoto Kansetsu himself, and the entire site could be called a work that crystallizes his sense of beauty.
Visitors can see Kansetsu's paintings in the exhibition room, and the stone construction artworks he collected are dispersed around the garden. This commemorative museum allows visitors to get a close look at one artist's view of the world and his working environment.
The museum includes Italian and Japanese restaurants, which occupy a building that was originally a part of the residence.

The Collections

In addition to Japanese-style paintings by Hashimoto Kansetsu, the museum's collection of antiques assembled by Kansetsu including pottery and Chinese and Japanese-style paintings are on public display in the exhibition room. Among Hashimoto Kansetsu's works, there are many pieces with a classical Chinese and animal theme. The collection also contains sketches, designs, and Greek pottery. Additionally, artworks such as stone Buddhist statutes and lanterns blend in with the garden.

 

 

Notes

It is within walking distance of Ginkakuji. A river flows in front of the building, and the riverside "Tetsugaku no Michi" (Philosopher's Walk) is lined with beautiful cherry blossom trees. It is a popular hanami (cherry-blossom viewing) spot in the spring. These cherry blossom trees were planted by Hashimoto Kansetsu in gratitude to the people of Kyoto who had supported him before he had achieved greatness as a painter. Hence, they are called "Kansetsu-zakura" (Kansetsu's cherry blossom trees) in honor of him.

Japanese crafts developed under the patronage of the Imperial household, the samurai class, and wealthy merchants charmed royalty and titled nobility in Europe as well as Japan with their beautifully minute decorativeness, becoming the country's principal trade goods. This museum introduces numerous excellent crafts produced in the late Edo period and Meiji period (late 19th to early 20th century), which is believed to be when Japanese crafts techniques reached their pinnacle. The permanent exhibition on the first floor selects famous pieces from the museum's collection, which it changes on a regular basis. Tools, techniques, and work processes used by craftsmen and artists are introduced in an easy to understand way. A planned exhibition based on a set theme is held every three months on the 2nd floor.
The Museum Shop sells accessories made from the same techniques as the exhibits.

The Collections

The museum has a large collection of crafts produced in the late Edo period and Meiji period, such as gold lacquer, cloisonne ware, metal work, and pottery. These include a variety of articles such as beautifully-decorated writing materials, vases, metal fittings that adorn swords, accessories and more. Created by precise and high-level techniques impossible to recreate in the modern age, these exhibits are a sight to behold. The collection has a vast number of works by artists recognized as Japan's foremost artisans of that time. We hope that even these small everyday tools will give you a taste of the essence of Japanese culture and its pursuit of beauty.

 

 

Notes

The Kiyomizu Sannenzaka Museum is located along the "Sannen-zaka Slope" approach to one of Kyoto's most famous tourist spots, the Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The history of the Sannen-zaka Slope dates back to the time when the Kiyomizu-dera Temple was founded. It had been a vibrant temple town for many years with its souvenir shops aimed at people going to Kiyomizu-dera Temple to worship, and it is said that its cobble paving had already been completed by the Heian period (794-1185). Nearby there is a five-storied pagoda (Hokan-ji Temple), known in Kyoto as the "Yasaka Pagoda".

This is the first netsuke museum in Japan. "Netsuke" were used as a fastener when people would hang small items from their kimono obi (sash) with a string while walking. One could say that netsuke were created by a Japanese sensibility to the beauty harbored by small belongings. Four times a year, this art museum publicly displays works selected from its collection of approximately 500 items ranging from antique to modern netsuke.
The former residence of a samurai (built 1820) is used for the Museum's building. It was renovated while maintaining its original style.

The Collections

The museum has a collection of around 500 netsuke consisting chiefly of modern works produced since 1945, but it also includes pieces made hundreds of years ago. The exhibition room is a Japanese‐style room which can be enjoyed together with the feel of this historic building. This samurai house will make visitors feel like they have gone back in time. Be sure to admire these sophisticated works at your leisure.

 

 

Notes

The Mibu-dera Temple is very close to the museum. This is known as the base of the Shinsengumi, which were in charge of maintaining security in Kyoto at the end of the Edo period, and it is now visited by many history-lovers. Additionally, the "Mibu Kyogen" traditional pantomime is performed here in February, April, and October.

This museum commemorates Kawai Kanjiro, a Japanese potter who was based in Kyoto from the Taisho to the Showa periods (circa 1920 to the 1960s).
The museum publicly displays his former house and studio in the state it was when he lived and worked there.
Kawai Kanjiro sought "yo no bi" (beauty of practicality), and was a key figure in the "Mingei Movement" that championed crafts produced by unknown craftsmen. He was closely connected to the British potter, Bernard Howell Leach.
The building was designed by Kanjiro himself, and the residence where he lived until his death is displayed in the state it was when he lived there. The outside appearance has the elegance of a traditional Kyoto minka (private home) and the interior design resembles that of a Tohoku region private home, giving off a serene and bold image. The house's rooms are casually decorated with Kanjiro's works, and the cozy environment will make you want to while away some time there. The large kiln and studio that Kawai Kanjiro actually used to make his works still remain on the grounds.

The Collections

In addition of course to ceramic works, the museum has a diverse collection of pieces produced by Kawai Kanjiro including wood carvings and metal works. Also, a lot of the museum's furniture and furnishings such as chairs, tables, and chest of drawers were produced and designed by Kawai Kanjiro himself. The museum also owns and exhibits items sent by other artists who Kanjiro was closely affiliated with through the Mingei Movement.
While it does not normally hold special exhibitions, if you go along to this commemorative museum you will be able to see at close hand the space where Kanjiro lived and touch his furniture, giving you an idea of the man he was.
Part of the passageway is a gallery, and the works displayed there are changed up to four times a year.

 

 

Notes

The museum is located close to the large Higashiyama Gojo intersection. When you enter the alley leading to the museum from the busy road, you will be confronted with an area so quiet it will make you forget the nearby hustle and bustle. Traditional Kyoto private homes line the surrounding area, and you can catch a glimpse of relics left over by the large number of potters and artisans that used to live in the area (fragments of pottery were used in parts of the buildings). There is a street called "Chawan-zaka" (Tea Bowl Hill) nearby where there are still many shops that handle ceramic works. This street is also a short cut to the Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

This art museum exhibits the works of Namikawa Yasuyuki, one of Japan's leading cloisonne enamel artists active from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century. He produced a wealth of works with elaborate and beautiful patterns, and they garnered high praise from Europe for their sense of color and originality.
The museum's building makes use of a Japanese house that was once the home-cum-studio of Namikawa Yasuyuki. Visitors can admire Namikawa's works while taking in the artist's wonderful living and working space.
The garden was created by Ogawa Jihei VII, one of the best Japanese gardeners of the modern age. Water is drawn into the garden from the nearby Lake Biwa canal, which is the first time this technique has been used for a private garden.

The Collections

The museum exhibits works selected from the over 130 works left by Namikawa Yasuyuki. These exhibits are changed on a regular basis.
All of these works were produced with the yusen-shippo technique, which was Namikawa's specialty. Yusen-shippo refers to a technique where thin wire is pasted on a metallic substrate surface along the outline of the design and enamel is then poured in between and then baked. Namikawa's works feature a variety of patterns such as flowers, birds, and landscapes. They are all beautifully delicate as if they were drawn with a paintbrush. Touching them is prohibited but such is their appeal you feel compelled to touch them.
The building was built in 1894 and the kiln used by Namikawa remains in its past state.

 

 

Notes

The museum is located in a back street near Okazaki-koen Park. It can be found by going northwards for a short while up the "Jingu-michi road" which leads to the Heian-jingu Shrine. Lots of wealthy people and artists used to live in the surrounding area, so there are many old buildings still remaining. The Shira-kawa River which flows nearby is small but elegant, and is a perfect place for a gentle stroll.