Envision a world where children’s book illustrations are celebrated as high art. That vision became reality here at the Chihiro Art Museum Tokyo. This museum stands as a monument to Chihiro Iwasaki. She was a beloved Japanese artist. Her works charmed hearts with their portrayals of flowers and children. Are you ready to step inside this world?
The Chihiro Art Museum Tokyo first opened its doors in September 1977. It was initially known as the Chihiro Iwasaki Art Museum of Picture Books. The museum sits on the very land where Chihiro lived. She also worked here from 1952 until her death in 1974. Royalties and donations financed the museum. This was a testament to her popularity.
Chihiro Iwasaki was no ordinary artist. She developed a new style of picture book art. She saw text and pictures as one holistic piece. Her art captured the delicate feelings of children. Sadly, she passed away at the young age of 55. A small exhibition of her works drew long lines of devoted fans.
Interestingly, museums at the time did not consider picture book illustrations to be art. But Chihiro believed they were. Her family decided to build a museum themselves. It would exhibit her works and those of other prominent picture book artists. In 1975, they established the Chihiro Iwasaki Memorial Foundation.
Initially, the idea was a “minimal” house-like museum beside Chihiro’s home. Family members and volunteers would staff it. The Foundation asked for donations and fans responded generously. They donated the majority of Chihiro’s copyright to the foundation. Sales from her books also provided funds.
On its opening day, the museum expected only about ten visitors. To their surprise, over 400 people crowded the small museum. It started with two exhibition rooms, a library, and a repository. Exhibitions of Chihiro’s illustrations drew many visitors. It convinced the museum staff that their vision was right.
Over time, the museum expanded. The son of Chihiro began researching picture books. He learned that the situation was the same in other countries. The museum then adopted a policy. They wanted to collect, preserve, research, and exhibit picture book illustrations. They saw them as cultural and artistic heritage.
In April 1997, twenty years after the Tokyo museum opened, the Chihiro Art Museum Azumino opened in Nagano. It has a park with 50,000 square meters of land around the museum.
Today, the Chihiro Art Museum Collection consists of 27,200 artworks. These are by 207 artists from 34 countries and regions. It also has over 1000 historical items. In 2002, the Chihiro Art Museum Tokyo reopened. It had undergone a complete renovation. The new museum offered double the public space. It is also entirely barrier-free.
The Chihiro Art Museum offers a shop, parking, a cafe, a library, and disabled access. It is open from 10:00 to 17:00. Last admission is at 16:30. The museum is closed on Mondays. It is open on public holiday Mondays, but closed the following day.
As you leave the Chihiro Art Museum, consider its impact. It has influenced numerous picture book museums in Japan and beyond. This museum proves that picture book art deserves recognition and appreciation.