Gratitude and Passion for the Museum’s Founding Place

In the town of Takaya, Ihara City, Okayama Prefecture, there stands a museum resembling a majestic old Japanese estate. This is the Hanatori Otsuka Museum of Art.

The museum was opened in Takaya—the company's founding place—by the Takaya Group, a local company dealing in textiles and electronic-related equipment, to commemorate its 100th anniversary. The museum’s founder and third president, Choroku Otsuka, was deeply passionate about expressing his gratitude to the local community.

Although a local railway construction project had been stalled for many years, Otsuka was determined to build the museum, convinced that a new train station would eventually be built in Takaya. He never doubted the future of the city: "I want to create a cultural hub that will serve as the gateway to Ihara."

Choroku Otsuka inherited a keen interest in collecting tea utensils, old books, and local bunjinga (literati painting) from his grandfather and the founder of the Takaya Group, Sasaichi Otsuka. Beginning in his 40s, Choroku dedicated himself to collecting works by Keika Kanashima (a Japanese painter from the neighboring city of Fukuyama). Kanashima was known for her realistic, magnificent, and elaborate Kachō-ga (flower-and-bird paintings).

Resonating with Unwavering Beauty: Choroku Otsuka and Keika Kanashima

Keika Kanashima’s artworks constitute the core of the museum's collection, as Otsuka sought to honor Kanashima locally and preserve his paintings together in one place. He felt that Kanashima’s consistent artistic stance of pursuing traditional, beautiful, and realistic forms echoed his own way of life.

From Kanashima's early realistic style to his later, more refined works, Otsuka found a deep resonance with the "unwavering beauty (dignity)" of the paintings. Although the collector never met Kanashima in person, he founded the museum in order to convey his profound respect to Kanashima's surviving family. His passion resulted in a collection of over 300 works that span Kanashima's lifelong career.

Appreciating the Changing Seasons in Flower-and-Bird Paintings

“Artworks must not be hidden away privately; I want everyone to see the entire collection,” said Otsuka. Driven by his belief that "paintings only live when many people see them”, the museum rotates its exhibits every two or three months, following the four seasons:

Spring flowers, summer songbirds, autumn moon, frosty winter snow.

Based on Kanashima’s deep observation of nature, the beautifully vibrant flowers and birds in his paintings vividly reflect Japan's changing seasons. No matter when you visit, you are sure to encounter a new and moving exhibition depending on the time of year.

Experience Japanese Culture as a Whole

At the Hanatori Otsuka Museum of Art, not only can you view exceptional artworks, you can experience Japanese culture as a whole.

The museum is adjacent to a beautiful Japanese garden and a traditional tea ceremony room (chashitsu). Tea ceremonies are held regularly in the chashitsu, drawing many repeat visitors from all around Japan. The director is an expert in tea ceremony and will soon begin hosting tea gatherings for international visitors, complete with English commentary.

The sentiment that experiencing Japanese culture as a whole leads to a deeper understanding of Japanese painting has always resonated with visitors and pervades the entire museum.

The Spirit of Local Hospitality

The Hanatori Otsuka Museum of Art’s small scale fosters a more intimate relationship with warm exchanges between the staff and visitors. Engage in casual conversations with the staff and learn about upcoming exhibitions, just like a member of the family.

Many visitors return to the museum time and time again to find this spirit of warm hospitality, where their personal experience is valued and enriched each and every time.

A Museum Bridging Tradition with the Future

Much more than simply a place to view art, the Hanatori Otsuka Museum of Art represents our passion to give back to the company's birthplace and to bring Japan's traditional culture forward into the future.

Enjoy art, experience Japanese culture, and interact with friendly local people in a relaxed atmosphere. What are you waiting for to embark on this infinitely enriching cultural journey?