A Museum Unlike Any Other: The World of Ceramic Masterpieces

In Naruto, Tokushima Prefecture, overlooking the Naruto Strait famed for its swirling whirlpools, a museum with a unique concept exhibits masterpieces from around the world.

The Otsuka Museum of Art recreates world-renowned paintings in their original size on ceramic panels (several panels are joined together to create larger artworks).

These “ceramic masterpieces" are meticulously crafted replicas of famous paintings, fired onto special ceramic boards using advanced technology developed by the Otsuka Group.

"A museum without original paintings?" you might wonder.

But the Otsuka Museum of Art is far from being a mere "replica" museum.

These ceramic reproductions faithfully capture the colors and textures of the original masterpieces, pursuing an eternal beauty that transcends time and resists deterioration and fading.

Corporate Patronage: Giving Back to the Community

The Otsuka Group, a conglomerate with roots in Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., is a household name in Japan, known for its popular beverages and health products.

Driven by a desire to give back to its original community, the Otsuka Group proposed to establish a world-class art museum in Naruto.

Opened in 1998 to coincide with the inauguration of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the Otsuka Museum of Art also commemorated the Otsuka Group's 75th anniversary celebrations, as a testament to their commitment to corporate social responsibility.

Overcoming Challenges to Build a Dream

"The white sand of Naruto is simply being shipped off to the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe region to make concrete. Can't we use this sand to create ceramic panels and turn it into a valuable product?"

The museum’s first director Masashi Otsuka and his dedicated team sought to revitalize Naruto by adding value to its natural resources and contributing to the local economy.

After years of research and development, they achieved a breakthrough in ceramic technology, enabling them to fire large, one-meter square ceramic boards.

Initially, these boards were sold as building materials, but demand plummeted with the oil crisis.

The team then turned their attention to alternative applications for their ceramic technology, leading to the birth of the "ceramic masterpiece" concept.

Inspired by the ideas behind "Le Musée Imaginaire" (The Imaginary Museum) conceived by the former French Minister of Culture and writer André Malraux, Masashi Otsuka envisioned a museum where people could experience the world's greatest artworks through meticulously crafted ceramic reproductions.

However, building this museum encountered a fair number of obstacles along the way.

Obtaining permissions from overseas museums and addressing criticisms that "ceramic masterpieces are merely reproductions" were significant challenges. Among these, building restrictions due to the location within the Seto Inland Sea National Park, one of Japan's first designated national parks, posed a major hurdle. Therefore, a grand project was undertaken to carve out a mountain, build the museum inside, and then restore the landscape to its original state.

Despite such restrictions, the Otsuka Museum of Art was intentionally constructed in that location in order to harmonize nature, art, and people. Above all, it stemmed from a desire to attract many more visitors to Naruto and contribute to the local community.

Thanks to the Otsuka Group's corporate patronage, the dream of the Otsuka Museum of Art is now a reality.

Ceramic Masterpieces: Eternal Beauty That Transcends Time

Much more than mere copies, the ceramic masterpieces are meticulously crafted works of art that faithfully reproduce not only the dimensions but also the colors and textures of the original paintings, ensuring that their beauty endures for generations to come without fading or deteriorating over time.

The ability to reproduce artworks in their original size, the use of durable materials that resist fading, the opportunity to appreciate art up close, the freedom to photograph and even touch the artworks—these are just some of the unique features of the ceramic masterpieces that redefine the museum art-viewing experience.

"Is it really okay to touch the artworks?" you might wonder. Rest assured, thanks to special production techniques, the ceramic masterpieces do not deteriorate when touched gently. Examine the artworks close-up, touch the ceramic panels, and experience art with all your senses. That is what makes the Otsuka Museum of Art unique.

A Journey Through the World of Masterpieces

At the Otsuka Museum of Art, you can embark on a journey through time and space, encountering over 1,000 masterpieces from 26 countries and over 190 museums worldwide, all reproduced on a scale of 1:1.

From ancient murals to masterpieces of the Renaissance and contemporary artworks, the museum offers a grand tour of art history.

Michelangelo's "Sistine Chapel Ceiling and Wall Paintings," also reproduced in their entirety, command attention with their breathtaking scale and detail.

Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring" radiates with a luminous beauty, its vibrant colors and smooth textures further enhancing the artwork's allure.

Because of the durable ceramic medium, Claude Monet's "Large Water Lilies" can be displayed outdoors, allowing visitors to appreciate the reproduced impressionist painting in natural light, just as the artist intended.

Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper" is displayed in its full glory, captivating visitors with its life-size figures and meticulous details.

The Otsuka Museum of Art offers the exceptional opportunity to compare "The Last Supper" before and after the original painting’s restoration - a rare experience that is impossible when viewing the original artwork at the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Italy.

Experiencing Art History

The Otsuka Museum of Art goes beyond simply displaying artworks; it creates an immersive experience that brings art history to life.

For example, in the Environmental Exhibition, the museum recreates the entire settings of ancient ruins and churches, allowing visitors to step back in time and experience the cultural and historical context in which the artworks were created.

In ancient ruins and churches that house the original works, it is impossible to move the artworks from their original display environments. However, with ceramic masterpieces, it is possible to recreate various settings without damaging the original works. The Otsuka Museum of Art uses this advantage to pursue display methods that allow for a deeper understanding of the artworks.

The museum also features a Systematic Exhibition, where artworks are arranged chronologically to provide a clear and engaging overview of art history.

The vast exhibition space, spanning about 30,000 square meters, is one of the largest in Japan dedicated to permanent exhibitions.

The museum has no pieces in storage; all its artworks are on display to provide a comprehensive and immersive art experience.

Art Education for Everyone

The Otsuka Museum of Art offers a variety of educational programs designed to make art accessible and enjoyable for people of all ages, reflecting the museum's founding principle of bringing art to everyone.

One program invites fourth-grade students from Naruto to visit the museum, offering them a special experience that often inspires wonder and excitement.

The museum provides worksheets for junior high school students to learn proactively and viewing sheets for high school students to enhance their understanding of the artworks featured in their textbooks.

These initiatives aim to nurture children's creativity and cultivate a lifelong appreciation for art, contributing to the cultural enrichment of the community.

The museum also regularly hosts fun events such as the #Art Cosplay Festival, a delightful and engaging way for families to experience art together.

Beyond simply dressing up, participants can step into the world of their favorite paintings, deepening their appreciation of the artworks.

Initially focused on Japanese children, the museum's educational initiatives have now expanded to embrace a global audience.

Through multilingual captions, portable audio guides, and brochures, the Otsuka Museum of Art aims to make art accessible to everyone, regardless of language or cultural background.

Ceramic Reproductions: Bridging Time and Space Through Art

The technique of ceramic reproduction originated in Europe.

It is fascinating to see this technique now being used in Japan to preserve and share European masterpieces with a global audience.

Even Vincent van Gogh's "Sunflowers," tragically lost in a fire during World War II, has been carefully recreated in its original size as a ceramic masterpiece to be displayed at the Otsuka Museum of Art.

In fact, all seven versions of "Sunflowers" painted by Van Gogh, including the lost one, are exhibited together, offering an exceptional opportunity to compare and appreciate the evolution of this iconic series.

By resurrecting lost masterpieces and presenting them alongside their surviving counterparts, ceramic reproductions demonstrate the boundless potential of art to transcend time and space.

But the Otsuka Museum of Art does not merely reproduce artworks. It produces ceramic board masterpieces through rigorous checks and supervision by art historians and other experts, and with formal permission from the museums and churches that preserve the original works. The museum’s “ceramic masterpieces” aim to share the emotional impact of art and make it more accessible to a wider audience.

Otsuka Museum of Art: Your Gateway to the World's Masterpieces

The Otsuka Museum of Art is conveniently located near major transportation hubs, making it easily accessible to visitors from around the world.

Direct express buses connect the museum to Takamatsu Airport, while regular bus services are available from Tokushima Airport.

Direct express buses to the Otsuka Museum of Art also operate from the Kansai region, including Kyoto and Osaka.
The Otsuka Museum of Art is a unique institution that brings the world's masterpieces to life through the magic of ceramic reproduction.

The museum's commitment to accessibility ensures that everyone can take a journey through the world's artistic treasures.

Embark on your own artistic adventure and discover the timeless beauty that awaits you at the Otsuka Museum of Art.