Ever wondered what secrets lie within a sculptor’s home? The Asakura Museum of Sculpture is a captivating journey into the world of Fumio Asakura. This museum was once Asakura’s residence and studio. It offers a unique glimpse into his life and art.
The Asakura Museum of Sculpture stands in Tokyo’s Yanaka district. It showcases the life’s work of Fumio Asakura. He was born in 1883 and passed away in 1965. The museum opened in 1967 after his death.
Asakura moved to Tokyo at nineteen. He was influenced by his brother’s sculpting. Asakura attended the Tokyo School of Fine Arts. He focused on realism. He was inspired by French sculptors. Auguste Rodin was his biggest influence. Asakura sculpted human figures and animals. He loved cats and often sculpted them. He is now known as the father of modern Japanese sculpture.
The Asakura Museum of Sculpture building is special. It is Asakura’s three-story home and studio. He taught young students here. The art studio is made of ferroconcrete. It features a high ceiling and skylights. Natural light fills the space. The walls are light brown for warmth. From 1920 to 1944, this was the Asakura Choso Juku. He trained many young sculptors in his private school. The building has Tokyo’s oldest roof garden. Asakura’s students learned gardening there. They grew radishes, turnips, and tomatoes. This helped them sharpen their senses. It also helped them familiarize themselves with nature. The third-floor Orchid Room was once a greenhouse. It housed Asakura’s orchid collection. Now, it displays sculptures of cats.
After Asakura’s death, his family opened the building to the public. The Taito ward government manages it today. In 2001, the building became a cultural property. The courtyard and rooftop garden were registered as a scenic beauty spot in 2008. The building was renovated in 2009. The aim was to restore it to its original condition. The storehouse was removed to let in more sunlight. The residence walls were restored with original colors and materials.
The Asakura Museum of Sculpture displays many of Asakura’s bronzes. You can explore his extensive library. See his collection of paintings and pottery. The museum has gardens at ground and roof level.
Fumio Asakura set up his studio here in 1908. He expanded the premises himself. He chose the materials and designed the architecture. Over 400 of his works were melted down for the war effort. After the war, he continued sculpting. He pursued naturalistic realism until his death in 1964.
The Asakura Museum of Sculpture has a modern facade. The interior is traditionally Japanese. The building includes a residential space and a Western-style studio. The studio has a high-ceilinged main room. It exhibits large statues. Shigenobu Okuma’s statue dominates the room. The library houses thousands of books behind glass. Upstairs, the Orchid Room displays cat sculptures. A roof garden offers views of the building and gardens.
The Japanese-style wing features the Sunrise Room. Other rooms display Japanese ceramics and calligraphy. The garden has a fishpond. Enjoy the view from various parts of the building. Photography is not allowed inside the museum.
The Asakura Museum of Sculpture is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is closed on Mondays and Thursdays. Admission is 500 yen for adults. It is 250 yen for students. Nippori Station is a short walk away.
Step inside the Asakura Museum of Sculpture. Discover the world of a master sculptor.