Asakura Museum of Sculpture

The Asakura Museum of Sculpture showcases sculptures and is a nationally designated tangible cultural property.

The small but stylish museum located in the Yanaka neighborhood of Taito, Tokyo, showcases the sculptures and work of Fumio Asakura, one of the most influential sculptors of modern Japan.

Originally, the building was a studio and residence of Asakura Fumio, who established a style called naturalistic realism and developed his own school, the Asakura Sculpture School.

The museum opened in 1967 after Asakura’s death and has been open to the public ever since. The museum is a must-visit for those interested in art and sculpture.

Visitors can enjoy viewing the world of Asakura and the four distinct seasons of Japan. Here are some key takeaways about the Asakura Museum of Sculpture:

Contents show

Key Takeaways

Located in the Yanaka neighborhood of Taito.
The museum opened in 1967 after Asakura’s death.
Stand-out work includes Grave Guard, Hanging Cat, and Flow of Time.
The courtyard is filled with spring water from the “Gosei no Sui Niwa” (Water Garden of Gosei).
Visitors can enjoy viewing the world of Asakura and the four distinct seasons of Japan.
The museum is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day except Monday and Friday.
Entry is 500 yen or 300 for children
The Museum is also closed over New Year (December 29 – January 3).

Background

The Asakura Museum of Sculpture was established in 1967 after the death of Fumio Asakura, one of Japan’s most influential sculptors. Asakura built the three-story home-based sculpture studio in 1936 of ferroconcrete and started a private school. His sculptures were known for their naturalistic realism, and he developed his own school, the Asakura Sculpture School.

Asakura was a leading sculptor through the Meiji (1868-1912), Taisho (1912-26), and Showa (1926-89) eras. He worked on many bronzes, collected countless paintings and pottery, and built an extensive library and beautiful gardens at his residence.

After Asakura’s death, his family donated his studio and residence to the Taito Ward of Tokyo to be used as a museum to showcase his life’s work. The museum has since become a popular destination for art lovers and tourists alike.

Exhibitions

The Asakura Museum of Sculpture is home to a variety of exhibitions that showcase the work of renowned sculptor Asakura Fumio and other contemporary Asian sculptors. Here are some of the exhibitions you can expect to see when you visit:

Permanent Exhibition: The museum’s permanent exhibition features a collection of Asakura Fumio’s sculptures, including some of his most famous works like “Boy” and “Woman with a Cat.” Visitors can also see the studio and living quarters where Asakura lived and worked.
Contemporary Asian Sculpture Exhibition: The museum hosts a rotating exhibition of contemporary Asian sculptors who have won prizes at the Oita Asian Sculpture Exhibition. These works are displayed throughout the museum’s grounds and park.
Special Exhibitions: The museum also hosts special exhibitions throughout the year that showcase the work of other artists and explore different themes related to sculpture and art.

One of the most unique aspects of the museum’s exhibitions is the emphasis on cats. Asakura was known for his love of cats, and the museum features a variety of cat sculptures throughout its exhibitions. In fact, more than a dozen cat sculptures are on display in the third exhibition room of the museum.

Visitors can also enjoy the beautiful works of other contemporary Asian sculptors in the museum’s outdoor park. The park is home to a variety of sculptures, including some that are interactive and allow visitors to touch and play with them.

Overall, the exhibitions at the Asakura Museum of Sculpture offer a unique and fascinating look into the world of sculpture and art. Whether you’re a fan of Asakura’s work or simply interested in exploring contemporary Asian sculpture, the museum has something for everyone.

Collections

The Asakura Museum of Sculpture is a museum dedicated to showcasing the sculptures and life work of Fumio Asakura, one of Japan’s most renowned sculptors. The museum boasts a collection of over 400 works, including sculptures, sketches, and photographs. Visitors can enjoy viewing the world of Asakura and the four distinct seasons of Japan.

The museum’s collection is divided into several categories, including:

Portrait Sculptures
Animal Sculptures
Mythological Sculptures
Religious Sculptures
Outdoor Sculptures

The portrait sculptures collection includes busts and full-body sculptures of famous figures such as Albert Einstein, Rabindranath Tagore, and Emperor Showa. The animal sculptures collection features works depicting various animals, including horses, dogs, and cats. The mythological sculptures collection includes works depicting mythical creatures such as dragons and phoenixes.

The religious sculptures collection includes works depicting Buddhist and Christian figures, including Buddha and the Virgin Mary. The outdoor sculptures collection features larger-than-life sculptures located throughout the museum’s garden.

Overall, the Asakura Museum of Sculpture’s collection provides visitors with a unique opportunity to experience the world of Fumio Asakura and appreciate his contributions to the world of sculpture.

Architecture

The Asakura Museum of Sculpture is a three-story building that was originally designed by Fumio Asakura himself and constructed in the early 20th century. The building is a combination of western-style and traditional Japanese architecture. The museum is situated on a hill and is surrounded by a beautiful garden that adds to its charm.

The first floor of the museum houses the sculptor’s studio, which has been preserved in its original form. Visitors can see the tools and materials that Asakura used to create his sculptures. The second floor of the museum is where the Asakura family lived.

The rooms have been preserved and visitors can see how the family lived during the early 20th century. The third floor of the museum houses the galleries where the sculptures are displayed.

The building has a unique design that incorporates both Japanese and Western architectural elements. The exterior of the building is made of red brick, which was a popular building material during the early 20th century.

The roof of the building is made of traditional Japanese tiles. The interior of the building features Western-style rooms with wooden floors and Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats. The combination of these elements creates a unique atmosphere that is both traditional and modern.

The museum was designed to be a place where visitors could experience art in harmony with nature. The building is situated on a hill and is surrounded by a beautiful garden that was designed by Asakura himself. The garden features a pond, a waterfall, and many different types of plants and trees. While there you can take a stroll through the garden and enjoy the beauty of nature while admiring the sculptures on display.

Visiting Information

If you’re planning to visit the Asakura Museum of Sculpture, here’s what you need to know:

Location and Hours

The museum is located in the Yanaka neighborhood of Taito, Tokyo. It’s a short walk from Nippori Station, which is served by the JR Yamanote Line and the Keisei Main Line. The address is 2-27-10 Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo.

The museum is open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, with last entry at 4 pm. It’s closed on Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday), and from December 29 to January 3.

Tickets and Admission

The admission fee for adults is 500 yen, while high school and university students pay 300 yen. Children under 15 are free. There are also discounts for groups of 20 or more people.

You can purchase tickets at the museum entrance. Note that there are no advance ticket sales or online reservations.

Facilities and Services

The museum is wheelchair accessible, with an elevator and accessible restrooms. There’s also a small gift shop selling souvenirs and books related to Asakura and his work.

Note that photography is not allowed inside the museum, and visitors are asked to turn off their mobile phones.

Overall, a visit to the Asakura Museum of Sculpture is a great way to learn more about one of Japan’s most influential sculptors and to appreciate his work in a beautiful and historic setting.