A Cultural Masterpiece

Nezu Museum

Founded posthumously in answer to the stipulations of Tobu Railway president Nezu Kaichiro’s will, the Nezu Museum was originally established in the industrialist’s former Aoyama residence to preserve his extensive personal art collection.

More than 70 years later, thanks to donations by other devoted collectors, and the construction of a stunning new building by renowned Japanese architect Kuma Kengo, the graceful, harmonious cultural legacy left by the museum’s namesake remains as intact as it was in 1941 when the doors opened for the first time.

Set amidst traditional Japanese gardens and chashitsu (outdoor tea houses), the museum is home to more than 7,400 objects, including 7 items regarded as National Treasures, dozens of Important Cultural Properties, almost 100 Important Art Objects, and myriad calligraphy pieces, paintings, sculptures, ceramics, textiles, lacquers, metalwork and bamboo crafts of Japanese and Asian origin.

To celebrate the dawn of the New Year, the Nezu will be exhibiting National Treasure painting Nachi Waterfall, along with 17 Buddhist Narrative pieces from Japan’s medieval-period until February 11. Melding exquisite artistry with religious significance, Nachi Waterfall depicts in superb detail and rich colour the scene at a sacred Shinto shrine in Kumano, and is widely regarded as one of the country’s greatest masterpieces.