National Museum of Modern Art , Crafts Gallery

National Museum of Modern Art , Crafts Gallery

The National Museum of Modern Art is the leading museum of collecting and exhibiting coeval Japanese art. This museum is situated in Kitanomaru Park. This museum was established in 1952 in Kyobashi area of Tokyo. The museum shifted to its current location in 1969. The current building of the museum was designed by Taniguchi Yoshiro.

The museum houses the works of many notable Japanese artists sine he Meiji period. It also houses the works of a few contemporary artists as well. The museum has Arts museum, a Crafts Gallery and a National Film Center.

History of Crafts Gallery

Crafts Gallery is a western-style Architecture of the Meiji Period denominated as Important Cultural Property. The building which houses Crafts Gallery was earlier designed in 1910 by Yasushi Tamura, a military engineer, as the headquarters of the imperial guards. But since the end of the war the building had been abandoned. In 1966, the whole of Kitanomaru district around the imperial palace was to be taken down, following the decision of a plan to furbish up the whole district. In September 1972 the Cabinet formally concorded to design the building as a significant cultural property. It also decided to use it as an extension of The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo. The following month, "The Former Headquarters of the Imperial Guards" was publicly endorsed as important cultural property.

After the decision the entire building underwent construction. The exterior, entrance, and hall went through conservation and bushel while the interior was reclaimed consorting to a gallery plan designed by Yoshiro Taniguchi. In November 1977, the building was renovated to serve as an exhibition facility for the crafts section and was opened as Crafts Gallery under The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo. While comporting out refurbishment work, the roof was reconstructed to its archetype form with slates and the staircase ascending from both sides in the main entrance hall which exhibits the affluent embellishment of the past. The chasteness of the gothic-style red bricks on the outside synchronizes with the seasonal change of the environing trees and presents a unique atmosphere.

About the Crafts Gallery

The museum offers an overview of Japanese crafts, many performed by famous artisans. The contemporary world of Japanese handicrafts is booming as can be seen by viewing the collection which covers lacquer, metal and glass work, textiles, ceramics and of course, bamboo. The visitor might decide to return again because the exhibits change often or just to enjoy the adjacent park. The admission fee for Crafts gallery is ¥200.

The Crafts Gallery amasses and exhibits Japanese and foreign craft works dating from the Meiji period to the present day. The genres covered include textile, ceramics, glass, lacquer, wood, bamboo and metal work, dolls, industrial and graphic design. Modern Japanese craft works are extremely diverse. These are elaborate works carrying on in the traditional technique, works which continue in line with tradition while also employing new creativity and methods of expression unrestricted by conventional means, and works which might be mistaken for contemporary art at first sight. In the Crafts Gallery Collection, emphasis is placed on postwar works, which developed in multifarious ways.

The galleries are situated on the 2nd floor. Works from the Collection are exhibited several times a year under themes such as "A history of Japanese Modern Crafts", "Masterpieces", and other specific subjects. Special exhibitions are held 2 or 3 times a year and large-scale shows sometimes take place in the Museum's Main Building.

The National Museum of Modern Art- Crafts Gallery is a favorite tourist attraction. It opens the doors of Japanese art and crafts. A visit to this museum will introduce you to the intricacies of Japanese artifacts and you are sure to fall in love with them.

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