Japan's long recorded
history as well as its profound artistic accomplishments are copiously detailed
and on display in its many museums. Indeed, the archeological artifacts, crafts
and artistic masterpieces contained in its museums represent exquisite
microcosms of the Japanese experience that illuminate the nation and its people
as a whole. Perhaps at the pinnacle of Japan's museums stand the national
museums, of which the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park was the first
to be established, in 1872. Its extensive collection gives a
comprehensive overview of the entire
history of traditional Japanese art, plus historic, scientific and natural
history exhibits.
The National Museum of
Modern Art, Tokyo exhibits a chronology of Japan's modern fine art masterpieces.
The newly opened National
Art Center, Tokyo has Japan’s largest exhibition space with an extensive collection.
The Kyoto National
Museum was originally created around the paintings, sculpture and other treasures
from temples in the vicinity, and now contains examples of Japanese art from
all periods.
The Nara National
Museum is noted especially for its collection of Buddhist sculpture.
In Tokyo, there are
numerous art museums, both public and private, which preserve invaluable works of
Japan's traditional fine art. To name just a few, the Gotoh Museum boasts,
among its collection, the "Tale of Genji Picture Scroll" (a national
treasure); and the Hatakeyama Memorial Museum of Fine Art features tea
ceremony artifacts. These two museums also have a Japanese garden, allowing the
visitor to appreciate works of fine art in a tastefully relaxing atmosphere.
Also worth visiting are: the Idemitsu Museum of Arts with its collection
of calligraphy, paintings and pottery from both Japan and China; the Suntory
Museum of Art featuring antique fine art items based on traditional living;
the Yamatane Museum of Art specializing in modern and contemporary
Japanese paintings; the Japan Folk Crafts Museum with a focus on
beautiful crafts for daily use such as pottery and textiles; and Ukiyoe Ota
Memorial Museum of Art specializing Ukiyoe painting.
Putting aside traditional
fine art, there are also other types of distinctive museums. The Edo-Tokyo Museum
features the history and lifestyles of Tokyo, using large-scale models. The
Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum is a genuine art deco structure built
in 1933 and holds various loan exhibitions.
In the realm of
contemporary fine art, Japan is recently emerging as a transmitter of distinct creativity
to the rest of the world. As such, contemporary art museums in Japan await
those who are interested in the country's up-to-the-minute lifestyles,
thoughts, media and so on. One of Japan's largest of its kind in scale, the Museum
of Contemporary Art, Tokyo presents an extensive range of contemporary art
masterpieces from both Japan and abroad. The Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery often
spearheads in holding "new-concept" exhibitions for contemporary art.
The Hara Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo's Shinagawa district is an
elegant Bauhaus-style building which houses a variety of contemporary art
works. In Ibaraki Prefecture to the north of Tokyo, the Contemporary Art
Center at Art Tower Mito is known for its unique exhibitions featuring
contemporary art.
The Tokugawa Art
Museum of Nagoya specializes in Noh costumes, swords, armor and other
samurai relics. Tokaido Hiroshige Art Museum of Shizuoka Pref. This
collection, which highlights the works of Hiroshige Utagawa, Japan's foremost
Ukiyoe painter, houses over 1,300 woodblock prints.
As for traditional fine
arts in the Kansai region, the Fujita Art Museum in Osaka is important
due to its rich collection of antique fine arts. Note, however, that it opens
only in spring and autumn. Also celebrated are the Osaka Municipal Museum of
Oriental Ceramics, which specializes in priceless antique ceramics from
China and Korea, and the Osaka Municipal Museum of Art with its rich collection
of Chinese, and Japanese antique fine art works. The Oyamazaki Villa Museum
of Art in Kyoto is an impressive villa structure placing pottery masterpieces
on exhibit in a relaxing and serene atmosphere. The Miho Museum in Shiga
prefecture features masterpieces of Japanese fine art and ancient art from
around the world. Note, however, it closes during winter. Meanwhile, Osaka's Suntory
Museum TEMPOZAN holds theme exhibitions focusing on posters.
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