How many untold stories do these walls hold? Welcome to the \u5b9f\u8df5\u5973\u5b50\u5b66\u5712\u9999\u96ea\u8a18\u5ff5\u8cc7\u6599\u9928, a museum dedicated to women’s artistic activities. It is located on the campus of Jissen Women’s University in Tokyo.
The \u5b9f\u8df5\u5973\u5b50\u5b66\u5712\u9999\u96ea\u8a18\u5ff5\u8cc7\u6599\u9928 was established in 1999. It was initially located on the university’s Hino campus. In 2014, it moved to the Shibuya campus. The museum’s name comes from Kosetsu. Kosetsu was the pseudonym of Shimoda Utako. She was the founder of Jissen Women’s University.
Before this museum, there was an art exhibit. In 1980, a room in the Shibuya campus was renovated. This became the art exhibit. In 1985, the university moved to Hino. A Japanese and East Asian art exhibit was created there. It was used for exhibits and museum studies.
The \u5b9f\u8df5\u5973\u5b50\u5b66\u5712\u9999\u96ea\u8a18\u5ff5\u8cc7\u6599\u9928 aims to be a full-fledged museum. It was established to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the school’s founding.
The \u5b9f\u8df5\u5973\u5b50\u5b66\u5712\u9999\u96ea\u8a18\u5ff5\u8cc7\u6599\u9928 focuses on women painters from the 17th to 20th centuries. These women have often been underappreciated. The museum collects and researches their work.
Jissen Women’s University has held many exhibitions. These exhibitions highlight women’s cultural activities. In 1959, an exhibition titled “Modern Women’s Cultural Development Materials Exhibition” was held. It was part of the 60th anniversary of the school’s founding. The exhibition took place at the Tokyu Toyoko department store gallery. It also took place at the Shibuya campus.
The Tokyu Toyoko venue featured “Contemporary Women Painters Exhibition”. The Shibuya campus venue featured “The Footsteps of Modern Women.” Other anniversary exhibitions include the 70th anniversary in 1969, the 80th anniversary in 1979 and the 90th anniversary in 1989. The 100th anniversary in 1999 highlighted Shimoda Utako and the 100 years of Jissen Women’s School.
The \u5b9f\u8df5\u5973\u5b50\u5b66\u5712\u9999\u96ea\u8a18\u5ff5\u8cc7\u6599\u9928 displays Shimoda Utako’s materials. It also features works by female painters. Exhibitions introduce women’s cultural activities. The museum also hosts exhibits related to various academic fields within the university. The \u5b9f\u8df5\u5973\u5b50\u5b66\u5712\u9999\u96ea\u8a18\u5ff5\u8cc7\u6599\u9928 also serves as a venue for student and alumni exhibitions.
Shimoda Utako also wrote books and magazines. She introduced and praised women in various fields. She actively featured female painters. Many female painters were active during the Edo period. However, after modernization, art history focused on male painters. Shimoda Utako recognized the achievements of female painters early on.
The \u5b9f\u8df5\u5973\u5b50\u5b66\u5712\u9999\u96ea\u8a18\u5ff5\u8cc7\u6599\u9928 continues Shimoda Utako’s vision. It collects and exhibits works by female artists. It researches their lives and creative activities. The museum aims to promote women’s independence. It wants to contribute to the education. This echoes Shimoda Utako’s goals.
Shimoda Utako served in the Imperial Palace. The Empress admired her talent. After leaving the palace, she founded schools. She also observed education in Europe and the United States. In 1899, she established Jissen Girls’ School. She emphasized the importance of education for women. She continued to advocate for women’s independence until her death in 1936.
The \u5b9f\u8df5\u5973\u5b50\u5b66\u5712\u9999\u96ea\u8a18\u5ff5\u8cc7\u6599\u9928 displays materials related to Shimoda Utako. These include her writings, calligraphy and items from the Imperial Palace. The museum makes these items available to the public.
As you leave the \u5b9f\u8df5\u5973\u5b50\u5b66\u5712\u9999\u96ea\u8a18\u5ff5\u8cc7\u6599\u9928, consider the legacy of Shimoda Utako. Think about the many women artists. Their contributions are now celebrated here.