Asai Chu Willow Trees in Grez-sur-Loing, France 1901 Collection of the museum
The Museum has been acquiring Kyoto modern art since its inauguration in 1933, and currently has holdings of over 3,800 artworks comprised of a core of Japanese paintings along with Western style paintings, sculpture, prints, crafts, and calligraphy.
The Museum is particularly proud of its highly regarded collection of paintings by Meiji and Showa period Kyoto artists. Introducing paintings with seasonal themes in tandem with the changing seasons, the Museum gives viewers a rich sense of the seasons in Kyoto.
Focusing on master works by leading modern Japanese oil painter and educator Asai Chu who had a great influence on the Kyoto art scene, and well-known innovative Kyoto lacquer-ware artist Okumura Kajo who incorporated Western style designs to plant and animal design motifs.
Kyoto City residents: ¥520*
Non-residents: ¥730
Groups (of 20 or more): ¥620
Elementary, junior high and high school students: Free**
Non- resident elementary,
junior high and high school students: ¥300
Groups: ¥200
Children under elementary school: Free
*Admission is free for residents over 70 (with valid ID or senior boarding pass) and for those with disabilities (with valid disability certificates). Admission is ¥100 for students attending Kyoto universities registered as Kyoto City Campus Culture Partners.
** living or studying in Kyoto
Please bring a valid ID.
The Expression of Women Around the Taisho Period (1912-1926)
Kitano Tsunetomi, After the Bath 1912 Collection of the museum
Portraying women and expressing beauty existed long sice early times. On the other hand, in Japanese painting, a new expression of women begin to appear during the Taisho period. Not only did it consist of beautiful appearance of women, but it tried to express sensual, mysterious, and detailed movement of emotion. The list of characteristics on this method of drawing include: the lyrical facial expression, thick coloring, shading and gradation.
From the late Meiji period to the Taisho period, in the midst of the liberalism trend of democracy, numerous artworks focusing on human existence and feelings begin to appear. Japanese-style painters tried to depict not only external but internal characteristics of women as well.
Kitano Tsunetomi, After the Bath 1912 Collection of the museum
Yamaga Seika and Nakamura Hosei
Yamaga Seika, Handwoven Brocade Wall Hanging Constellation, Moon, Rocket, 1958 Collection of the museum
Yamaga Seika (1885-1981) is a pioneer in the world of modern Kyoto’s dying and weaving art. Having spent his life entirely on creation, Yamaga was a technician, designer, and a researcher of fabric. From his versatile talent, he created his original technique called teorinishiki. (In order to approach closer to the object, thread made from all sorts of material is used for the tapestry.) In his designs, he adopted daring themes, especially after the Second World War launching his original expression by adopting trends of the time such as: Handwoven Brocade Wall Hanging Constellation, Moon, Rocket in 1958, the year after the world’s first satellite was launched in 1957; and the newly completed Tokyo Tower.
Nakamura Hosei (1906-1959), who studied under Yamaga and learned dying and weaving designs, also produced works of teorinishiki. Adopting flowers and animals as main themes, his characteristics include modern composition of design, and diverse expression of colors such as gradation, which is considered to be difficult for tapestry. Known for his honest personality, while inheriting his master’s bold works, he established his original style with his distinguished ability of conception and certain technique.
Yamaga Seika, Handwoven Brocade Wall Hanging Constellation, Moon, Rocket, 1958 Collection of the museum
Willow Trees in Grez-sur-Loing, France 1901Asai Chu Collection of the museum 1937">Lacquered Panels "Deer" 1937Okumura Kajo Collection of the museum On exhibit from Oct. 2 – Dec. 5, 2021
Museum Cafe
Roasted Green Tea Set ¥1050 (including tax) Photo: Maetani Kai
The menu of seasonal sweets in Cafe ENFUSE will change four times a year, along with the seasons. Also the museum shop will continue offering new confectionary selections twice a month, every month in 2021.
Roasted Green Tea Set ¥1050 (including tax) Photo: Maetani Kai
Museum Shop
August 2020 featured Japanese sweet on a motif of nihonga painter Takeuchi Seiho. It is an example of the series of sweets inspired by motifs of the museum collection.
August 2020 featured Japanese sweet on a motif of nihonga painter Takeuchi Seiho. It is an example of the series of sweets inspired by motifs of the museum collection.
