Welcome to Yokoyama Taikan Memorial Museum
In November 1976, the former residence of Yokoyama Taikan in Ikenohata, Taito-ku, was opened to the public as the “Yokoyama Taikan Memorial Museum.” The opening of the museum was based on the strong will of Yokoyama Taikan, a leading figure in the Japanese art world during the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras, that “After my death, I would like this place to be used not as a private property, but as a public property for the benefit of the Japanese art world.” In February 2009, the Yokoyama Taikan Memorial Museum was designated as a national historic site and a place of scenic beauty as “Yokoyama Taikan’s Former Residence and Garden.” Eternally honoring the legacy of one of the greatest painters of the early modern period, we hope that the exhibition of Taikan’s art will contribute not only to the Japanese art world but also to the cultural improvement and development of Japan, and we would like to ask for your continued support in this endeavor. Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Yokoyama Taikan Memorial Museum
National Historic Site and
Place of Scenic Beauty
The former residence of Yokoyama Taikan, a two-story wooden Sukiya-zukuri Japanese house, is located by Shinobazu Pond in Ueno Ikenohata. When Taikan moved to this area in 1908, it was a small temporary site at first, but as his fame as an artist grew, he purchased more land, and in 1919 the site was expanded to its present size. A Kyoto-style sukiya-zukuri building of his own design and a garden were built on this site in 1919 and used as his home and studio. Although the building was destroyed by fire during the Tokyo air raid, leaving only the storehouse and some of the stone works, it was rebuilt in 1954 in almost the same form as before. Taikan lived and worked here until his death.
Yokoyama Taikan’s former residence and garden, which he personally directed the construction of, reflect his philosophy and sensibility, which favored the natural atmosphere of nature. It was also the place where Taikan actually created his works, and many of his works are considered to have been inspired by the materials in the garden. It is valuable in considering the development of modern Japanese art history and landscaping history. (Excerpt from the February 2009 issue of the monthly magazine “Bunkazai”)
Taikan-designed garden
The small garden,sitting on 14000 square feet in the big city of Ueno,never ceases to delight visitors.
Exhibition Methods
The motto of the museum is to be a comfortable place for visitors. The museum takes advantage of the atmosphere of Japanese-style architecture. For example, hanging scrolls are displayed in the alcove as they are. This is a rare museum in modern times where visitors can take off their shoes to experience the beauty of Japanese architecture and fully appreciate the meticulous design of Taikan. Although there are many works in the museum’s collection, there is a limit to the number of works that can be displayed in the museum, which has been preserved as it was when Taikan was alive, so the exhibition is changed every three months.