5/5 Girish M. 9 months ago on Google
Located
in
close
proximity
to
a
beautiful
cemetery
and
looking
like
a
black
box,
the
Asakura
Museum
of
Sculpture
is
not
high
on
a
tourist's
list
of
attractions
in
Tokyo.
However,
it
is
a
wonderfully
artistic
snapshot
of
20th
century
Japanese
history
that
would
a
shame
to
miss.
A
combined
studio
and
residence
of
the
sculptor
Asakura
Fumio,
the
museum
shows
highlights
from
his
evolution
as
an
artist.
Beginning
with
very
westernized
pieces
and
showing
his
gradual
but
constant
incorporation
of
traditional
Japanese
styles
into
his
works,
the
works
act
as
a
testament
to
the
strategy
of
adopting
and
personalizing
that
enabled
Japan
to
quickly
become
a
global
superpower,
for
better
or
worse.
As
a
bonus
to
the
sculptures,
guests
are
also
provided
access
to
parts
of
the
3-story
house
itself,
and
can
get
a
quick
breakdown
of
traditional
Japanese
housing
and
design
elements
for
that
housing.
Included
is
a
vast
library
of
books,
multiple
floors
high,
which
is
truly
a
sight
to
see,
especially
as
the
digital
age
tends
to
compress
all
the
books
into
a
little
screen.
My
favorite
parts
were
the
rooftop
garden,
which
even
in
the
brutal
summer
heat
was
a
lovely
break,
and
the
combination
of
cat
sculptures
and
pictures.
The
artist
definitely
had
a
preference
for
the
feline.
Koi
fish
are
visible
in
the
garden
pond,
as
well.
Some
things
to
keep
in
mind
-
guests
are
required
to
remove
their
shoes
and
there
is
no
photography
allowed
inside
the
museum.
During
the
summer,
these
were
not
of
any
issue.
English
guidance
is
available,
but
the
estate
is
far
more
enjoyable
if
you
have
an
English
speaking
tour
guide
with
you.
It
was
also
nice
to
notice
some
'hidden'
sculptures
-
pieces
that
you
would
likely
ignore
when
you
first
walked
into
the
establishment
but
then
appear
to
be
painfully
obvious
as
you
are
leaving.
The
entire
tour
takes
less
than
an
hour,
not
including
any
time
you
spend
on
the
rooftop
or
enjoying
the
central
garden.
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