Art Creation Theory 28 "The Appeal of Hosomi Museum of Art"

What is Hosomi Museum of Art?

The Hosomi Museum of Art is a private art museum located in the Okazaki area of ​​Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City. It is run by the Hosomi Art Foundation, a public interest incorporated foundation, and opened in 1998. The museum's collection is based on a valuable collection of Japanese art that has been collected with passion by three generations of the Hosomi family, beginning with the first Hosomi Ryo (pen name: Kokoan, 1901-1979), an Osaka businessman and Japanese art collector. The collection covers a wide range of eras and fields, from Buddhist art from the Heian and Kamakura periods to ink paintings from the Muromachi period, tea ware from the Momoyama period, and Rinpa and Jakuchu from the Edo period, and is known for including many Important Cultural Properties and Important Art Objects.

The charm of the building and location

The museum is located in the Okazaki area, which is home to many cultural facilities such as the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art and the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto. There are also many tourist attractions in the area, such as Heian Shrine and the ROHM Theatre Kyoto, making it a popular area where you can enjoy art, history, and nature all at the same time.
The museum was designed by architect Oe Tadashi, and its contemporary design incorporates the motif of Kyoto's townhouses. The open atrium space stretches from the second basement floor to the third floor, and features cafes, restaurants, shops, a rooftop garden and a teahouse, providing visitors with a place of both relaxation and discovery.

Collection Features

The art works that three generations of the Hosomi family have collected over the years are so diverse that they are said to cover almost every genre of Japanese art.The content is extremely rich, ranging from Buddhist statues, Buddhist paintings, and Shinto art, to tea ceremony utensils, Negoro lacquerware, cloisonné crafts, and paintings from the Edo period by artists such as Ito Jakuchu, Sakai Hoitsu, and Kamisaka Sekka.
In particular, don't miss the "Aizen Myoo Statue," an Important Cultural Property for Buddhist art from the Heian and Kamakura periods, and the "Toyotaka Flower Viewing Screen at Yoshino," a famous painting from the Momoyama period. Since the early modern period, the museum has included many excellent pieces from the Rinpa school, so much so that some fans call the Hosomi Museum of Art the "Rinpa Museum."

The footsteps of the three generations of the Hosomi family and the first Kokoan

First generation: Ryo Hosomi = Kokoan

Hosomi Ryo, the founder of the Hosomi Museum of Art, was born in Tochiya (now Shinonsencho), Hamasaka-machi, Mikata-gun, Hyogo Prefecture. He went to Osaka to work as an apprentice in the woolen textile industry while still in his teens, and became independent at the age of 24. He established Senshu Woolen Textiles Co., Ltd. in Izumiotsu, and expanded the business significantly in his 30s.
During this time, he became aware of the depth of ancient art, and although he initially experienced bitter failures, such as being sold fakes, he learned from experts and researchers and developed an eye for discerning authenticity. It was around this time that he was given the title "Kokoan (a hermitage filled with the fragrance of ancient times)" by Master Seki Seisetsu of Tenryu-ji Temple in Saga, Kyoto.

Strong commitment to tea kettles

Kokoan was particularly passionate about collecting tea kettles. It is said that at his peak he owned around 150 tea kettles, and he gained a deeper understanding of them by actually using them all. He also had a kettle maker make replacement lids for them, and is notable for his attitude of using them not simply as a collection but as "tools." The results of his research were compiled in a book titled "Chanoyu Kettles" (Yuzankaku), which is highly regarded as an important document on tea kettles in Japan.

The idea that "the greatest works of art in the world are Buddhist paintings from Japan's Fujiwara period"

Kokoan had a deep love for Buddhist paintings from the Fujiwara period (late Heian period), and believed that "the essence of Japanese beauty lies in sculptures dedicated to gods and Buddhas." This strong belief was the background behind his collection of many Buddhist artworks, including the Important Cultural Property "Aizen Myoo Statue." As a result, the museum has a large collection of Buddhist statues, Buddhist implements, and masterpieces of religious art, including Heian Buddhist paintings.

Special exhibitions and exhibition styles

The Hosomi Museum of Art does not have a permanent exhibition, but instead holds special exhibitions four to five times a year. The museum rotates its collection of artworks to match the theme of each season, so one of its charms is that you can make fresh discoveries every time you visit.
The exhibition room also reflects the spirit of the founder, Kokoan, who enjoyed using antique art in tea ceremonies and other settings for hospitality, and the exhibition room is designed to convey the desire for visitors to "not only appreciate but also experience art as tools." There are also occasional projects that introduce videos and photos of valuable pieces, such as tea kettles, in actual use, allowing visitors to experience Japanese culture.

Facilities and how to enjoy them

Teahouse "Kokoan"

Inside the museum is the teahouse "Kokoan," named after the founder Hosomi Kokoan. It is a precious space where you can enjoy matcha tea while looking out over Higashiyama, but it is currently closed to the public. If you would like to use it, please contact the museum in advance.

Shop "ARTCUBE SHOP"

The shop offers a wide range of original art goods designed by the museum, exhibition-related catalogs and books, as well as museum-exclusive sweets and accessories. It's the perfect place to find a keepsake or souvenir after viewing an exhibition.

Cafe "CAFÉ CUBE" & Restaurant "trattoria en"

  • CAFÉ CUBE (10:30-17:00 / LO16:30)
    The cafe space is perfect for taking a break after an exhibition. You can relax in a stylish open-ceiling space while enjoying coffee, tea, sweets, and more.
  • trattoria en (18:00-21:30 Reservation required)
    This restaurant is open in the evenings. Reservations are required, giving it a special feel. We recommend enjoying a leisurely dinner while basking in the afterglow of the exhibition.

User Guide

  • Opening hours

    • Museum: 10:00am - 5:00pm
    • Kokoan Teahouse: 11:00am - 4:00pm (irregular holidays, please inquire)
    • ARTCUBE SHOP: 10:00am - 5:00pm
    • CAFÉ CUBE: 10:30am - 5:00pm (last orders 4:30pm)
    • trattoria en: 6pm - 9:30pm (reservations required)

  • Closed Days

    • Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday)
    • Exhibition change period
    • New Year's holiday (December 26, 2024 - January 6, 2025)

  • Admission fee <br>Fees vary depending on the exhibition, so please check with the official website or museum.

  • Location: 6-3, Okazaki Saishojicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City
    (Nearest station: 10 minutes on foot from Higashiyama Station on the Tozai subway line, or get off at the Okazaki Park Museum/Heian Jingu-mae bus stop on the city bus)

  • Contact Us

    • TEL: 075-752-5555 (main)
    • FAX: 075-752-5955 (main)

Activities of the Hosomi Art Foundation

It was originally established as a foundation under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education (now the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology), and was certified as a public interest incorporated foundation by the Cabinet Office in 2012.
Based on the philosophy of "preserving the spirit of beauty that lives in the classics for the future," the foundation not only holds exhibitions, but also promotes activities to spread awareness of Japanese traditional culture and art through collaboration with art museums and research institutions in Japan and abroad, lectures, etc. Its mission is to preserve and pass on the important cultural heritage left by three generations of the Hosomi family, and it is working hard to deepen a correct understanding among as many people as possible.

summary

The Hosomi Museum of Art is a rare place where you can experience the rich world of Japanese art all at once. The passion that the first Hosomi Kokoan had for tea kettles and Buddhist art, and the dedication to collecting that has been passed down to his son and grandson generations, are fully apparent from the many works on display. The collection, which covers a wide range of genres and eras, can truly be called a "living textbook" of Japanese art.
Furthermore, it is located in the cultural zone of Okazaki, Kyoto, and there are several art museums and famous places in the surrounding area. If you visit while you're out for a stroll, you'll be able to immerse yourself even more in the art and culture of Kyoto.
The Hosomi Museum of Art is an experience that can be enjoyed with all five senses, including its architectural space, which is filled with a unique aesthetic sense. Why not stop by the museum the next time you visit Kyoto? You will surely have a special time rediscovering the charm of nostalgic yet new Japanese art.

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