Kuroda Memorial Hall
Kuroda Memorial Hall is part of the Tokyo National Museum and displays the work of the Western-style artist Kuroda Seiki (1866-1924).
Tokyo National Museum, Kuroda Memorial Hall 黒田記念館
The Kuroda Memorial Hall at Tokyo National Museum
The Kuroda Memorial Hall (Kuroda Kinenkan) is part of the massive Tokyo National Museum (Tokyo Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan) in Ueno Park.
The Kuroda Memorial Hall is located just outside the main museum complex close to Tokyo University of the Arts (Geidai).
Kuroda Memorial Hall, Tokyo National Museum, Ueno
Bust of the artist, Kuroda Memorial Hall, Tokyo National Museum, Ueno
History
The building was designed by architect Okada Shinichiro (1883-1932) to fulfill the bequest of painter Kuroda Seiki (1866-1924).
The European-style interior has lovely period staircases, wooden floors, fine plasterwork and original fittings. Here and there are Art Deco touches such as the handrail on the stairs.
Okada's other works in Japan which have not been demolished include buildings in Otaru, Hokkaido (The Bank of Japan Otaru Museum), the Nikolai-do, which he helped to remodel and Hatoyama Kaikan (Otowa Palace) in Tokyo.
Exhibits
Kuroda Seiki is often referred to as the "father of modern Western-style painting in Japan."
Born in Kagoshima, the son of a samurai, Kuroda went to live in France during his youth in the late 19th century.
In Europe he became interested in art and was influenced by Impressionism and fellow Japanese and Western artists he met there.
On his return to Japan in 1896 he brought with him Morning Toilette, the first Western-style nude to be exhibited in Japan (sadly destroyed in World War II). The public viewing of the painting was met with considerable social criticism in Japan at the time.
Undeterred, Kuroda inspired a number of up-and-coming Japanese artists and was influential in the formation of what is now Tokyo University of the Arts, which is situated adjacent to the museum.
Later in life Kuroda was acclaimed as an artist both at home and overseas. He blazed a trail that led many Japanese artists to adopt yo-ga or Western-style painting and to head for Paris to further their art.
On permanent display are a selection of Kuroda's sketches and paintings. His work and influence on modern Japanese art and artists are explained through wall panels in both Japanese and English.
The collection highlights gallery containing several famous nudes is open three times a year for two week periods.
The ground floor has a popular French-style cafe.
Gallery of Kuroda Memorial Hall, Tokyo National Museum, Ueno
Paintings by the artist, Kuroda Memorial Hall, National Museum of Japan, Ueno Park, Tokyo
National Museum (www.tnm.jp)
13-9 Ueno Park
Taito-ku
Tokyo
110-8712
Tel: 03 3822 1111
Nearest station Ueno (Park exit).
Admission to the Tokyo National Museum is presently 620 yen for adults, 410 yen for college students. Admission to the Kuroda Memorial Hall is free.
Wifi is available in most areas of the main Tokyo National Museum complex.
Read more about the Tokyo National Museum here
Portrait by Kuroda Seiki, Kuroda Memorial Hall, Tokyo National Museum
Portrait, Kuroda Memorial Hall, Tokyo National Museum
Tokyo National Museum is made up of the Honkan (Main Building dedicated to Japanese art), the Toyokan (Asia Gallery), the Gallery of Horyuji Treasures with Buddhist art from Horyuji Temple in Nara and just outside the walls, the Kuroda Memorial Hall.
Other buildings in the complex include the Heiseikan (used for special exhibitions), the Hyokeikan, the Research and Information Center (Shiryokan) and the historic Kuromon (Black Gate). The Kuromon is the main gate of the former Edo residence of the Ikeda clan, feudal lords of Tottori.
There is also a Japanese Garden and several teahouses behind the main building.
There are four National Museums in Japan: Tokyo National Museum, Kyoto National Museum, Nara National Museum and the much later Kyushu National Museum.
Kuroda Seiki, Sentiment (from Wisdom, Impression, Sentiment), c. 1900, Kuroda Memorial Hall, Tokyo
Tokyo University of the Arts, Ueno Park, Tokyo
Access
The Tokyo National Museum (Tokyo Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan) is a short walk from Ueno Station or Uguisudani Station on the Yamanote Line. Nezu Station on the Chiyoda Line is also a short walk to the west. The museum complex is located within Ueno Park.
Kuroda Seiki, Lakeside, 1897, Kuroda Memorial Hall, Tokyo
