Gotoh Museum

Within the tranquil Kaminoge district of Setagaya, the Gotoh Museum awaits. It stands as a testament to the vision of one man, Keita Goto. He was the chairman of the Tokyu Corporation. The Gotoh Museum opened its doors in 1960. It showcases Goto’s remarkable collection of Japanese and East Asian art. He amassed these treasures over his lifetime. The museum’s collection spans a wide range of artistic mediums. These include paintings, calligraphy, ceramics, tea ceremony implements, ancient mirrors, and swords. One of the Gotoh Museum’s most prized possessions is the Illustrated Handscroll of The Tale of Genji. This masterpiece from the Heian Period has been designated a National Treasure. It offers a glimpse into the world’s first novel. However, this fragile treasure is only displayed for a limited time each year, typically during the first week of May. The Gotoh Museum also houses fragments of another National Treasure. These are the 13th-century fragments of a handscroll of the Murasaki Shikibu Diary. The diary, adorned with delicate illustrations, offers a fascinating window into the life and thoughts of Murasaki Shikibu. She is the author of The Tale of Genji. These fragments are exhibited annually for about a week in the autumn. Beyond its captivating collection, the Gotoh Museum boasts a serene garden. This garden provides a tranquil escape from the bustling city. It features a tea house, ponds, and Buddhist statues, creating an atmosphere of peace and contemplation. The Gotoh Museum itself is a work of art. The building, designed by Isoya Yoshida, reflects the traditional Shinden-zukuri style of architecture. This style was historically used for noble residences. The museum stands on a sprawling 20,000 square meter property. It encompasses Musashino’s spectacular forest. Within the garden, visitors can admire Buddhist stone sculptures and seasonal flowers, including the Tokyo Natural Monument, “Kaminoge no Kobushi.” The main building and the garden teahouses, Kokeiro and Fuzimitei, were registered as cultural properties of Japan in 2017. The Gotoh Museum holds six or seven exhibitions a year. Each exhibition showcases a unique selection of items from its vast collection. This ensures that each visit offers something new to discover.