Asakura Museum of Sculpture 朝倉彫塑館

Formerly Sakura Fumio Garden

Asakura Museum of Sculpture is both a garden and the former home designed by one of Japan’s greatest sculptors, Asakura Fumio. Both the garden and the building were designed and built by Mr. Asakura to co-exist harmoniously. By all means please come see this very original place!

Information about Asakura Museum of Scupture

Address:

7-18-10 Yanaka, Taito-ku
Contact:

03-3821-4549
Open hours:

9:30 am – 4:30 pm (entry until 4pm)
Closed:

Monday, Thursday (the following weekday if it falls on a public/substitute holiday), the year end/new year holidays< /br>*The museum may be closed occasionally in order to change exhibits, etc.
Entrance fee:

General ¥500(¥300, elementary/junior high school students ¥250(¥150). *The prices in brackets are for groups of twenty or more. *Those with physical disability certificates or a medical care certificate are free o charge.

Flower Calendar for the Asakura Museum of Sculpture

Jan. – Feb. : Camellia, Plum, Narcissus, Schlumbergera
Mar. – Apr. : Flowering quince, Clivia, Thunberg’s meadowsweet, Chinese fringe flower, Deutzia gracilis, Asian pear
May – Jun. : Yuzu, Rhaphiolepis umbellata, Sweet mock-orange, Satsuki azalea, Pomegranate, Creeping saxifrage, Hemerocallis esculenta, Hydrangea, Campanula bellflower, African lily
Jul. – Aug. : Crape myrtle, Autumn zephyrlily, Rose of Sharon
Sep. – Oct. : Sasanqua (single), Chanohana, Toyoran orchid, Toad lily
Nov. – Dec. : Sasanqua (double)
Roses flower all year round

Table of Contents

1. Background and History of the Asakura Museum of Sculpture
2. Features and Sights to See
2.1 Courtyard
2.2 Rooftop garden
2.3 Architecture

Background and History of the Asakura Museum of Sculpture

The Asakura Museum of Sculpture was the home and studio of Asakura Fumio (1883-1964), one of Japan’s greatest modern sculptors. Asakura designed and oversaw the building of the house himself and it was completed in 1935. Asakura passed away in 1964, but a family member later opened his home to the public as the Asakura Museum of Sculpture in 1967 (it became the property of Taito ward as of 1986), something Asakura himself had requested. The building was designated as a national tangible cultural property in 2001 and later in 2008 the entire grounds were designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty after it was acknowledged that the aesthetics of the the gardens and architecture came together as one. Large-scale restoration and preservation work was carried out on the property between 2009 and 2013 and the site has been returned to its original state.

Features and Sights to See

Asakura Museum Courtyard

The courtyard of the Asakura Museum of Sculpture is surrounded by buildings on all our sides and its area is mostly taken up by the pond. The formation gardens look divergent from every angle an it is obvious for their shape and form that they were uniquely thought up by Asakura Fumio who worked with sculptures everyday.

Asakura Museum Rooftop Garden

The greatest feature of the Asakura Museum of Sculpture is in the harmony and interaction of the building and the garden. The two elements exist alongside each other while still retaining their unique aesthetic appeal. You can see contrast and twists here and there throughout the building that reflect Asakura’s artistic taste.

Asakura Museum Architecture

THe greatest feature of the Asakura Museum of Sculpture is in the harmony ad interaction of the building and the garden. The two elements exist alongside each other while still retaining their unique aesthetic appeal. You can see contrast and twists here and there throughout the building that reflect Asakura’s artistic taste.

About the Author

Pjechorin

I have lived and worked with my family in Japan since 2005. For many years I have been interested in the very practical and creative side of Japanese culture. In my free time I travel around, enjoy hiking in the countryside and cities, and just generally seeing and doing new things. This blog is primarily a way for me to focus my energies and record and teach others about what I have learned by experience constructively. I am interested in urban development, and sustainable micro-economics, especially home-economics, and practical things everyday families can do to survive and thrive through these changing times.