10. Museum Review: Idemitsu Museum of Arts (Marunouchi)

The Idemitsu Museum of Arts displays works of art collected over 70 years by Sazo Idemitsu, the founder of Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. The main collection focuses on different types of Asian art, shown periodically, theme by theme.

Currently the exhibition is called, "Elements of Design in Calligraphy". As I stated in an earlier blog, I do not have a special interest in calligraphy, but it was close to the Mitsuo Aida Museum and there was a discount ticket in the Grutt Pass. Items on display included screens, scrolls, fans, pottery, books,...

I was not overly impressed with the museum itself. There was nothing to distinguish it from any other museum except for its excellent view of the Imperial Palace. To visit this museum, you must have a real interest in the subject matter of the exhibit.

For those truly interested in calligraphy, this was probably an excellent exhibit. But, for me, it all just started running together. Each item had a basic English description, but there was no translations of what was actually written (as there was in Japanese). I would have been in and out of this museum in record time if the view of the Imperial Palace had not been so good. With all the free Japanese tea (3 types) you can drink available, I sat for a while in a comfy chair, relaxing, staring out the window.

The museum is located on the 9th floor of the Teigeki Building, 3-1-1, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005.

The phone number is 03-3213-9402.

Hours of operation: 10:00-17:00 (last entry at 16:30). Fridays 10:00-19:00 (last entry 18:30). The museum is closed on Mondays (except national holidays), during the New Year's break, and for changes of exhibits. Always check before visiting, there are some lengthy closures.

Access: The museum is a short walk from JR Yurakucho Station, or from Subway Yurakucho and Hibiya Stations.

Admission: Adults: 1000 yen (800 with Grutt pass, or if in a group of 20 or more)
College and high school students: 700 yen
Free for Jr. High students and younger, but they must be accompanied by their parents.

For more information, check their website: http://www.idemitsu.co.jp/museum Scroll to the bottom of the page for a link in English.

The current exhibit runs until February 12th. The next exhibit, 'Shino and Oribe - The Elegance of Vessels', runs from February 20th to April 22nd.

A permanent exhibit of pot sherds (broken pieces) excavated from Egypt and sites around Japan is also on display.

**Free entry with Grutt Pass 2007 (#19)

9. Museum Review: Mitsuo Aida Museum (Marunouchi)

Mitsuo Aida was a famous calligrapher and poet who passed away in 1991. He once wrote, "I merely express the natural way people should be as humans and the true way to live. To accomplish that, I borrow the format of brush-and-ink calligraphy."

I had never heard of Mr. Aida, but entrance to the museum was free with my Grutt Pass, so I decided to check it out. Although I admire the beauty of calligraphy, I don't have any special interest in it. That wasn't important, as I found this museum inspiring.

First, the atmosphere. Again, in running with a Japanese theme, earth tones prevailed. In fact, in the main hall, the walls and floor seemed to be made of earth itself. The only sounds to be heard was running water (and in some areas, the air-conditioning).

Many of Mr. Aida's works are on display, and each one is completely translated into English. Because I am able to read hiragana and some kanji, I could read and understand some of his poems without the English, as they were simple and to the point. For example, "sono mamade iiga na", or "It's fine, just as it is."

Most were much more difficult, but reading what I could in Japanese, then reading in English, was an interesting challenge. If nothing else, I just enjoyed the serenity of the exhibit and the opportunity to contemplate many of the basic concepts of life.

Another of Mr. Aida's poems (translated) read, "The flowers are supported by the branches, the trunk supports the branches, the roots support the trunk, but we can't see the roots."

It would be just as easy to read his poems in a book, but I think the museum encourages one to really pay attention to what Mitsuo Aida was trying to say. It is a small museum, but I think it is worth a visit! But, I would not recommend bringing children. The silence is an important part of the experience.

The Mitsuo Aida Museum is located inside the Tokyo International Forum building, B1, 3-5-1, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005. Just enter the building and take the escalators down, the name of the museum is in English.

The phone number is: 03-6212-3200.

Hours of operation: 10:00-17:30 (last entry at 17:00). Closed on Mondays, except when Monday is a national holiday.

Admission: Adults 800 yen
Jr. & Sr. High students, seniors 70 and older: 500 yen
Elementary Students 200 yen
Children kindergarten age and under are free.
*Group discounts are available.

For more information, check their website: http://www.mitsuo.co.jp/

The International Forum is less than 5 minutes walk from Tokyo and Yurkucho stations, as well as the Hibiya/Nijubashimae/Ginza Subway stations.

Some of my favorite poems, by name: 'Jibun', 'Shiawasewa itsumo', 'anatano kokoroga', 'toki', 'michi', 'sono hito', 'makeni mawaru',...

**Free entry with Grutt Pass 2007 (#18)