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Creed of Narukawa Art Museum
Ours is a unique museum specializing in the quintessence of modern nihonga — Japanese-style paintings of our age. One of the main purposes of establishing the museum was to convey to the wider public the splendor of post-Second World War nihonga.
The new nihonga evolved over the past half-century as Japan rose as an economic power. This new nihonga is significantly different compared with that of the prewar period, which was characterized by its soft tones. Modern nihonga possesses a deep resonance and dignified expression, although it is not yet widely known to the public.
Modern nihonga observes the admired tradition of yamato-e from the Heian period (794–1185), yet deepens the qualities of the art by layering multiple colors and developing innovative compositions and images. Complex sentiments reflecting the current global era are expressed through these images.
Sozo Bijutsu, an association of nihonga artists, was founded in January 1948 and represents the first milestone for the artistic movement of the new age. At the forefront of this new movement and its artists was Kyujin Yamamoto, and it is his works that constitute the museum’s core collection.
Our collection of over 4,000 works represents an overview of modern nihonga, but our objective stands on more than that. We believe that opening up the future of new nihonga is our real mission. We presume it was the same purpose that inspired Kyujin Yamamoto, who feared stagnation and continued to call attention to the crisis facing nihonga.
Since the beginning, Narukawa Art Museum has not only collected and promoted the works of well-known and well-qualified artists but has also aggressively acknowledged promising unknown painters and upcoming artists. Modern-art museums should serve beyond acknowledging established artists and exhibiting accomplishments from the past. Museums and artists exist in the same time. We should together express our emotions vividly to the world.
Daily are borne excellent works that may well influence the nihonga of 50 and 100 years hence. We are convinced that great key paintings are included in our major collections. The important mission of our museum is to appreciate as much as possible the messages from these future masterpieces in addition to housing and exhibiting them. With our art-loving visitors, we are committed to supporting the Japanese painters of the future.
We hope that every visitor enjoys the ambitious works of the artists who will lead Japanese-style painting in the twenty-first century and keep an eye on their future with the museum. In this place you will find the glorious beauty of Japanese art.
