Exhibition Review: MOA Museum of Art "Iwasa Matabei's World of Vivid Colors: Important Cultural Property 'The Tale of Joruri' Picture Scroll"

I visited the MOA Museum of Art for the first time, a place I had wanted to go to for a while. I will write my impressions of the entire museum and the exhibition (approx. 3,200 characters, approx. 50 photos).

In conclusion, it was amazing! I give it a 5-star rating. 1) The
location is pleasant and refreshing. 2) The attention to detail in the display methods is extraordinary. 3) The curation of the works is also excellent, offering unique insights. 4) It is stress-free because it is not crowded. I felt that it is worth going to Atami just to visit the MOA Museum of Art!

Access

You can get to the MOA Museum of Art from Atami Station by bus or on foot. I walked there and took the bus back. In conclusion, it is better to

use the bus for both ways. It is about a 20-minute walk, but the slopes and stairs are steep, so I was quite tired before I even arrived at the museum. The bus departs from bus stop number 8 at the bus rotary on the left side of Atami Station.

About the MOA Museum of Art

Above all, I thought the location and architecture were wonderful. I'm sure even preschoolers would be excited. Also, Hiroshi Sugimoto supervised the renovation in 2017, and while you can feel his ism everywhere, it matched the MOA Museum of Art perfectly. The sea seen from here was a work of art by Hiroshi Sugimoto itself, and I was overwhelmed by the attention to detail throughout the exhibition space. There are not many museums that are this particular about how they display their exhibits. The

exhibition space itself was quiet art.

By the way, MOA in MOA Museum of Art is an abbreviation for "Mokichi Okada Association." Mokichi Okada was the founder of the new religious movement "Sekai Kyusei Kyo," and the original name of this museum was "Kyusei Atami Art Museum." I mistakenly thought it stood for "
Modern Art of Atami." When I looked up Sekai Kyusei Kyo, it seems there have been many twists and turns. However, I am nothing but grateful that they established and operate the MOA Museum of Art.

'Iwasa Matabei's World of Vivid Colors: Important Cultural Property "Joruri Monogatari Emaki"'

The Important Cultural Property 'Joruri Monogatari Emaki' (Volumes 1-12) is the main exhibit. I was surprised that it has been preserved in such a beautiful state, as it is hard to believe these works are about 400 years old.
A characteristic of picture scrolls is that, unlike books, the scenes change gradually. Even without panel divisions, I felt that the origins of manga, a part of Japanese culture, are here.
The level of detail is incredible, and it made me realize once again the Japanese obsession with detail.
To view a scroll, you use both hands to roll it, gradually 'turning' the pages. Because of this, they cannot be hung on walls, and you cannot immediately jump to the page you want to see. I also felt that the modesty required to paint such a masterpiece using a medium that only a limited number of people can view at once is very Japanese.

I felt Hiroshi Sugimoto's meticulous attention to detail throughout the exhibition method. The low-reflection glass, the use of lighting, the arrangement of works with an awareness of uniform lines, and the 'ma' (space) between the works. This might be the first time I have encountered an exhibition space this delicate, which differs from the rational white boxes used in contemporary art.

As a note of criticism: 1) I would like the captions to be numbered in accordance with the exhibition catalog. It would save the trouble of searching. 2) The 'Important Cultural Property' (Juyo Bunkazai) in the exhibition title is an abbreviation, but the average person won't know that.
Not a criticism, but the 'Red and White Plum Blossoms' folding screen was not on display (it is usually exhibited around February every year). I understood this easily because I learned at the 'Important Cultural Property Exhibition' at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, that the display periods for National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties are restricted by law.

Today's museum meal.

There are five restaurants inside the museum. I took a break at "The Cafe," which is the most casual among them. There were others, such as a Toshi Yoroizuka cafe.

Summary

What did you think? I felt that this museum is all about 'attention to detail,' from its location and architecture to the thorough aesthetic sense throughout the building. Since the scenery is also superb, it offers a sense of being away from the everyday, and it is sure to be refreshing. If you come to Atami, the MOA Museum of Art is a must. It wouldn't be strange to come to Atami just for the MOA Museum of Art!

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