The Itchiku Kubota
Art Museum

Kawaguchi-ko
Japan

For many years Itchiku Kubota dreamed of establishing an usual and beautiful museum that many people could visit to view his work.  At the age of 74 he finally found what he considered the perfect location – near Lake Kawaguchi, with a panoramic view of Itchiku’s beloved Mount Fuji. Kubota had long been fascinated by the mountain that became a major theme in his work. It can be seen in the eleven Fuji kimono in his collection that create a compelling vision of the mountain’s grandeur and its physical and mystical presence.

Kubota purchased the site and began the construction, but he had only limited funds to use. After three years of construction, in 1994, the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum was opened to the public.

The museum became permanent home to some of Kubota’s artistic creations and invited visitors to discover the artist who created them. The structure and environment of the museum represented the artist’s unique – some say idiosyncratic – worldview.

Exploring the Gaudi – inspired buildings, visitors discover the heart and soul of Itchiku Kubota and share his passion for primitive arts and crafts in a peaceful shrine of Nature created by the artist’s vision.

The design of the main hall is based on traditional Japanese architecture, but the structure evolves into a complex and spectacular pyramid-like puzzle of layered huge wooden beams that soar thirteen meters skyward. The entryway to the museum is embellished by the mix of coral and limestone from Okinawa and sculptural ironwork by present-day artists. The dramatic hand-carved doors, sourced from India, Africa and Southeast Asia, enhance the space. Kubota planted the Japanese maples on the site and worked with expert gardeners to place the decorative rocks, quiet ponds, streams and waterfalls to ensure the audio and visual delight for visitors making their way to the museum. The artist’s former workshop is also on site.



Sakuo Miyahara
Curator and Director, The Itchiku Kubota Museum

Sakuo Miyahara had worked alongside Itchiku Kubota for a quarter of the century, right up to the master’s death in 2003, and he has been the curator of the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum since 2011. Sakuo Miyahara started out as Kubota’s main apprentice in 1978, at the age of 25, after he visited the master’s second personal exhibition at Mikimoto Hall in Ginza, Tokyo. Itchiku Kubota’s work left such a strong impression on young Miyahara, that he left everything behind in order to join the artist and learn about the mystery of ‘Itchiku Tsujigahana’.



Itchiku Kubota
Art Museum

To plan your visit to the Itchiku Kubota museum in Kawaguchi-ko, Japan, please visit www.itchiku-museum.com. Alternatively, please call +81 555-76-8811 or email info@itchiku-museum.com.

Access

By Car:
From Chuo Expressway
Exit at Kawaguchiko I.C ••• R139/R137 ••• Museum (15 minutes from the I.C.)
From Hugashi-Fujigoko-Road
Exit at Fujiyoshida I.C ••• R139/R137 ••• Museum (15 minutes from the I.C)
By Train:
Otsuki Station (JR Chuo Line) ••• kawaguchiko Station (Fujikyuko Line) 10 minutes by taxi or 25 minutes by “Retro Bus” from Kawaguchiko Station
By Express Bus (Reservation: 03-5376-2222):
Shinjuku Station (South Exit) ••• Kawaguchiko Station (100 minutes) 10 minutes by taxi or 25 minutes by “Retro Bus” fron Kawaguchiko Station

Address

2255 Kawaguchi, Fuji Kawaguchiko-machi, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi 401-0304 Japan
+81 555-76-8811

Discover Kubota’s kimono online