©Kodaira Hirakushi Denchu Art Museum
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An art museum with a collection of realistic sculptures crafted by a modern master of the medium
Kodaira City, Tokyo
The Hirakushi Denchu Art Museum features some of Hirakushi Denchu’s most impressive and realistic wooden sculptures. This collection showcases Hirakushi Denchu’s natural talent for capturing human emotion and movement in his sculptures. It includes works from the earliest through the final stages of his career, including Shoga-Kimigayo, a sculpture of a boy singing the national anthem; Jin-Gyu, which was highly praised by Denchu’s lifelong teacher Okakura Tenshin; and Kagamijishi, the summation of Denchu’s art.
(Note: The sculpture Kagami-Jishi in the museum’s collection is not to be confused with the sculpture of the same name at the National Theater (currently closed)).
The Hirakushi Denchu Art Museum comprises two buildings, the exhibition hall and the modern Japanese home in which Denchu lived out the final years of his life until he passed away at the age of 107. Come visit his garden in late February through early March to enjoy the vibrant blooms of Hirakushi Denchu’s beloved plum trees. A variety of events are held at the museum throughout the calendar year, such as tea ceremonies in the spring and fall as well as garden concerts.
How to get there
From Tokyo Station, take the Chuo Line to Kokubunji Station, then take the Seibu Tamako Line to Hitotsubashi-Gakuen Station (about 45 minutes). The museum is about a 10-minute walk away.
1-7-5 Gakuennishi-machi, Kodaira-shi, Tokyo-to
