[🎨 Exhibition Report] Miyagi Museum of Art: "Renewal Opening: The Age of Art, Showcased Through the Entire Collection" and More

[#357, approx. 8,200 characters, approx. 140 photos]
I visited the Miyagi Museum of Art for the first time to see "Miyagi Museum of Art Renewal Opening: The Age of Art, Showcased Through the Entire Collection" and other exhibits. Here are my thoughts and review.

▶︎ Conclusion

Highly recommended museum! This is mainly due to: 1) an impressive collection with a huge volume of exhibits, 2) affordable prices, 3) approachable renewal initiatives like the Kids Studio, and 4) finally being able to visit the Churyo Sato Memorial Hall. I was surprised to see so many people in the museum, even for a collection exhibition. It is a must-visit when touring museums in Miyagi Prefecture!

However, here are some points that concerned me:

• The renewal details should be clearly communicated within the museum.

• More chairs should be provided in the exhibition rooms and along the flow between rooms.

• There is room for improvement in how the collection is displayed.

• The Churyo Sato Memorial Hall should provide more detailed information from the visitor's perspective.

▶︎ Reason for visiting

The main reasons for my visit were: 1) I had some time to myself on the weekend, 2) I was interested in Churyo Sato, and 3) it was just in time for the renewal opening.

I added the Miyagi Museum of Art to my "museums I want to visit someday list" several years ago. When I started visiting various museums, I began to think, "There's a Churyo Sato bronze here, and there's one there... who exactly is this guy?"

▼ Example of where Churyo Sato's bronze statues are (Nakano Museum of Art, Nara)

Much like ordering potato salad or sashimi first at an izakaya, many museums seem to have acquired his work with the mindset of "let's just put a Churyo Sato piece here" when establishing the museum (probably).

However, I had never encountered a museum or exhibition that said, "We've collected a lot of Churyo Sato's work!" If you want to delve deep into an artist, a solo exhibition organized chronologically is best. Upon checking, I found that the Miyagi Museum of Art has a Churyo Sato Memorial Hall! So, I decided I wanted to visit someday.

Also, the Miyagi Museum of Art had just gone through a renewal. Because they were implementing interesting initiatives like the "Visible Storage" and "Kids Studio," I decided to visit at this time.

▶︎ Access

To get to the Miyagi Museum of Art, it takes about 10 minutes by bus from Sendai Station. I boarded from bus stop number 9 and got off at "Niko/Miyagi Museum of Art-mae."

▶︎ What is the Miyagi Museum of Art?

✔️ Collection Features

The Miyagi Museum of Art opened in 1981. The collection features modern and contemporary art, works related to Miyagi Prefecture and the Tohoku region, works by international artists such as Kandinsky and Klee, and original illustrations for postwar Japanese picture books (details).

I wondered, "Why Kandinsky and Klee?" but the reason is that "German Expressionism had a significant influence on modern Japanese art." The Miyagi Museum of Art boasts the largest number of Klee works of any museum in Japan (35 pieces).

✔️ Churyo Sato Memorial Hall

A major feature of the Miyagi Museum of Art is the Churyo Sato Memorial Hall, which houses approximately 2,500 works, including those by Churyo Sato (opened in 1990). The impetus for its establishment was the donation of 150 works by Churyo Sato.

✔️ Designed by Kunio Maekawa

The museum was designed by the Kunio Maekawa architectural firm. Kunio Maekawa is an architect who represents Japanese modernist architecture and was a student of Kenzo Tange. Among Kunio Maekawa's buildings, I have visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, the Fukuoka Art Museum, and the new wing of the National Museum of Western Art.

Various sculptural works are exhibited in the "Alice's Garden". Since it was raining all day on the day I visited, I couldn't fully explore the outside of the museum.

It seems there was also a rabbit by Barry Flanagan in the garden, but I didn't notice it. Is it a coincidence that there is also a Flanagan rabbit at the Fukuoka Art Museum, which was designed by Kunio Maekawa?

▶︎ What was renewed?

The highlight this time is the "renewal"! Due to aging, there was originally a plan for a complete relocation, but after opposition requests were issued by various organizations, the relocation plan was withdrawn, leading to a renewal (construction started in June 2023, reopened in June 2026).

The main renewal points are the following eight.

1. Visible storage

2. New exhibition rooms

3. Renovation of restrooms, and the addition of nursing rooms and diaper changing tables

4. Relocation of the Prefectural Gallery and improved accessibility

5. Renewal of the restaurant and museum shop

6. Improved barrier-free flow through elevator upgrades

7. Kids Studio

8. Art Lounge

The main highlights of the renewal are, I believe, the "Visible Storage," "Exhibition Rooms 5 & 6," and the "Kids Studio."

The Kids Studio was absolutely wonderful. It had plenty of picture books, a space where you could freely do crafts like drawing, and enough room to run around a little. It was packed with things children love. When I went to the "Eric Carle Exhibition" this year, my child was also delighted by the picture book corner at the end of the exhibition. Picture books are king.

Basically, children "dislike art museums." However, just having a space like this makes them think "I want to go again," and they gradually become more familiar with them. And I think that when they grow up, they will start bringing their own children to visit.

At the time of the renewal, panels introducing the highlights of the architecture were newly installed in the building. However, I thought, "this is weak."

Currently, the people visiting, including myself, were expecting to see "what exactly was renewed? (excitement)." Very few people read the handouts or seriously read the panels scattered throughout the building.

Since it is so loved by the region and the relocation was even cancelled, I thought they should have introduced it with a giant panel like a "Renewal List" in the large lobby near the ticket counter.

▶︎ Impressions of "Miyagi Museum of Art Renewal Opening: The Entire Building Showcases the Collection - The Era of Art"

Because it is a collection exhibition, the price is a reasonable 700 yen. The exhibition method is simple, with works displayed in chronological order. There is everything in terms of genres! Over 90% of the works were allowed to be photographed.

Since it was not clearly stated in front of Exhibition Room 1 whether photography was allowed, I thought it would be better to clearly indicate it with a sign. For example, at the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, they put up a sign every time and also provide polite explanations at the reception, which makes visitors feel at ease.

Also, inside the museum, they were distributing handouts that used high-quality, full-color paper and contained detailed explanations. You can see the enthusiasm of the Miyagi Museum of Art.

What surprised me even more was that there were so many people in the museum! Collection exhibitions are often quite empty. However, even in the rain, there were many people entering from first thing in the morning. Among them, there were also children and students.

I saw many promotional advertisements for the renewal of the Miyagi Museum of Art on the web, such as on X, and in outdoor advertising; perhaps this is the result of that? Or is it that the people of Miyagi are very knowledgeable about art?

✔️ 2nd Floor: Exhibition Rooms 1 & 2

The exhibition starts on the 2nd floor. Works from 1920 onwards are lined up.

The above work is a designated tangible cultural property of Miyagi Prefecture. Given that it is displayed at the beginning of the exhibition, it is clear that it is a particularly prized item.

Nearby, there was also "Salmon" (Yamagata Museum of Art, photography not allowed). When I looked at it closely, it had quite a rough touch. However, when viewed from a distance, it is super realistic. As expected of the person who first brought Western realistic techniques to Japan in earnest.

There are three "Salmon" paintings in Japan. In addition to the one at the Yamagata Museum of Art, it seems that the Kitakyushu Municipal Museum of Art and the University Art Museum, Tokyo University of the Arts each have versions with different designs.

The genres of the exhibited works were diverse.

The Miyagi Museum of Art has many works of German Expressionism in its collection. In this exhibition, in particular, many of Klee's works were on display.

Also, there was a constant 'beep-beep' mechanical sound near this exhibit, which was very distracting while viewing the art.

▼ The Museum of Modern Art, Ibaraki, which preserves Nakamura Tsune's atelier

Near the Umehara Ryuzaburo, Man Tsuburaya's "Person Wearing a Nude Cloth," which came from the Iwate Museum of Art, was also on display.

The overall composition of the exhibition lacked contrast and was quite orthodox. Since this is the first exhibition after the major renewal, I thought they could have been more free and adventurous, such as by experimenting with wall colors and installations.

I was bothered by the reflections on the large glass panels. Since they went through the trouble of a renewal, I think they should have installed low-reflection glass. Considering the budget, isn't now the only time to do it?

▼ Museums that installed low-reflection glass during their renewal

For a hanging scroll made in 1920, it is quite religious. I felt an impact reminiscent of Taro Okamoto. It doesn't seem like it would match a Japanese-style room (lol).

▼ Impressions of the Kawabata Ryushi Memorial Museum

▼ Panasonic Shiodome Museum of Art, which holds many of Rouault's works

Next to the above, Shunsuke Matsumoto's "Standing Figure" from the Museum of Modern Art, Kamakura & Hayama was also on display (photography prohibited). I couldn't help but laugh because the design was almost a carbon copy.

Even as an amateur, I could tell that this was a culmination of the Miyagi Museum of Art's collection. I would recommend it because you can see high-quality works from various genres all at once.

Furthermore, because the number of works is enormous, it would be better to place chairs inside the exhibition rooms or along the flow between them. This is because you will be exhausted if you look at everything in succession.

✔️ 1st Floor: Exhibition Rooms 3 and 4

In the second venue on the first floor, works from 1930 onwards are on display. I enjoyed this floor especially because there were more three-dimensional objects on display.

▼ SFMoMA, which also holds works by Yuki Katsura

And then, I discovered a work that caught my eye.

Too cute! No matter how many times I see it, my cheeks just naturally relaxed. For me, this exhibition was a landslide victory for 'Cat'. If they released merchandise like plushies, they would probably sell a lot.

▼ Exhibitions currently being held at Pana-bi

▼ Musee Hamaguchi Yozo, which houses all of Yozo Hamaguchi's works

▼ Tatsuoki Nambata Exhibition at Asahikawa Museum of Art

▼ Yuriko Yamawaki Exhibition at Ghibli Museum

After the Miyagi Museum of Art, I also went to the Tohoku Fukushi University Serizawa Keisuke Art and Craft Museum and the Tohoku Fukushi University Gallery Minimori (I plan to post about it on note later).

▼ Arakawa Shusaku's masterpiece, Site of Reversible Destiny - Yoro Park

Seeing the sign that the exhibition continued further into the basement, I thought, "Whoa, I'm already full...". Since many people probably felt the same way, few people went down to the basement.

✔️ Basement Floor 1: Visible Storage, Galleries 5 & 6

In the basement, works from 1970 onwards are on display.

Initiatives to show storage areas seem to be implemented sporadically by a few museums, but the Miyagi Museum of Art seems to be almost the first to make it a permanent feature.

Since it is a "storage area," there are no captions for the works. Although I went down to the basement feeling excited, it was actually a bit disappointing. They were just placing the works there. There was no takeaway beyond that, and I couldn't read the purpose. If they are going to show it, it needs some kind of twist.

Also, I thought, "Is this really a realistic storage area? Isn't it too clean?." Since I ended up being strangely suspicious, why not introduce the state of other storage areas using panels? I was expecting to see a "realistic" scene where many works were cluttered and packed into a small space, thinking, "Oh, so this is the back side of a museum."

▼ A curator at a small museum talks about "preservation"

It seems the Miyagi Museum of Art holds a "Visible Storage Experience" irregularly. If you are interested, please check it out.

In the newly established Gallery 5, the picture book original art collection is on display.

Even when told "Continue to the Churyo Sato Memorial Hall," I was already exhausted. After taking a break, I set off again. If they added POP displays introducing the museum cafe to the route signs and such, I think it would contribute to attracting customers to the cafe.

▶︎ Churyo Sato Memorial Hall

My original goal was the Churyo Sato Memorial Hall. I wanted to know, "Why are Churyo Sato's works in museums all over Japan?" "What is it that is highly regarded?" and "Why are there so many nude works?"

By the way, I had been reading Churyo Sato as "Tadayoshi", but the correct reading was "Churyo".

Seeing these works, I remembered that when I went to the Wacoal Museum of Beauty (Kyoto), it was written that "a round bust without side flow is the key to beauty." Were the proportions of the nude female statues created by Churyo Sato the ideal type of that time?

Nakano Museum of Art (Nara) also had this piece sitting there.Why make them undress?After looking at his work, that is all I can think about.

Finally, a production documentary of the work 《Azure》 was being screened. It took about two months for Churyo Sato to create the original prototype in clay, and about two months for a craftsman to finish it into a bronze statue. I was able to clearly understand the process of taking a mold and pouring material into it, which was repeated many times.

Throughout the exhibition, although I was able to get an overview of Churyo Sato's work, it was a bit disappointing because the composition was flat and failed to capture his way of thinking. Also, I could not find the answer to the question I had before entering the museum. Instead of just placing the works in chronological order, why not install Q&A panels?

This year, I read "700-Year History of Accounting and Management" (Yasuhiro Tanaka, 2022). The book explains things while skillfully mixing the history of accounting and art, and it was very interesting as a piece of reading material.

What was particularly impressive was the point that, starting with El Greco, the reason they painted religious paintings was that "religious paintings were required as national policy, so painters painted them to earn their livelihood."

I wondered if Churyo Sato didn't necessarily want to make naked bronze statues, but rather just made them because they were socially demanded and he was responding to that demand.

Furthermore, Churyo Sato experienced internment in Siberia during the war. Post-war people sought the natural kindness within the Japanese heart in art rather than authoritative art. Therefore, it seems there is a background where Churyo Sato wanted to create such works (=nude women), and the viewers also felt empathy for them.

I felt a commonality with how Picasso, after World War II, turned away from his past style and continued to create peaceful ceramics.

▶︎ Summary

How was it?It was a huge volume!It took about two and a half hours and I was tired. In addition to being able to see the collection that the Miyagi Museum of Art can boast about all at once, the price was reasonable, so I thought it was something everyone could enjoy. Although the renovated points were interesting, that should be communicated more actively. Also, I was surprised by the large number of visitors. I'm glad I was able to go to the long-awaited Churyo Sato Memorial Museum.

▶︎ Today's Museum Meal

▶︎ Next Preview

Next time, I plan to post my impressions of visiting Laguna Ten Bosch (Aichi Prefecture).

▶︎ 3 Recommended Picks for You

1) Exhibitions featuring Yuichi Takahashi's "Salmon"

2) Exhibitions at art museums in the Tohoku region

3) Collection of links to all my note posts (357 entries)