I worked on the paint handling for many years, learned the difference between dye and pigment, also the relationship between color and light. Then I met Nihonga, I was shocked by the depth and the glamour of it. Brilliance of rock painting, different coloring depending on material, broad expression by shading... I was fascinated by the depths of Nihonga and wanted to experience more, and see them closer. Therefore I began collecting artworks.

 

 Nowadays, you can obtain any information in the digital world. However, how could you tell the size or texture of the artworks through pictures and images, would your heart shake the same? In particular, you can’t experience the deep expression of Nihonga such as the coloring of rock paints with different appearance by light and precise depiction unless you see the work directly.

 

 I want to let the world know the beauty of Nihonga, let children of the future know Japanese traditional culture. I want all of you to experience Nihonga in person. This is how I began collecting Nihonga created by awarded artists, and finally led to open this museum.

 

 I aim to make this place somewhere anybody can casually come by and relax.

I hope this museum will be the new face of historic city hamadera hagoromo, lead to revitalization of this area in the future.

 I am looking forward to your visit from the bottom of my heart.

 

Director, Eiki Kobayashi