Ohara Museum of Art

Welcome to the Ohara Museum of Art, a cornerstone of cultural heritage located in the historic Bikan district of Kurashiki. As we stand before this grand structure, we are witnessing a truly pioneering achievement: this was the…

As you stand in the main square before the museum entrance, take a moment to analyze the building's facade. The Main Gallery, designed by architect Yakushiji Kazue, was completed in 1930 and draws heavily from the Greek temple…

We now stand before the museum's most prized possession and its emotional anchor: El Greco’s 'The Annunciation,' or 'Jutai Kokuchi' in Japanese. Painted around 1590-1603, this work is a masterpiece of the Spanish Renaissance. …

Next, we transition to the serene world of French Impressionism with Claude Monet's 'Water Lilies.' This painting is particularly special because Kojima Torajiro acquired it directly from Monet himself. In 1920, Torajiro visited…

As we move further into the collection, we encounter the bold, 'primitive' colors of Paul Gauguin. His painting 'Te Nave Nave Fenua' (The Delightful Land) is a prime example of his work from Tahiti. …

Stepping out of the galleries and into the museum's inner court, we encounter a space of profound quiet and symbolic beauty. This garden area serves as a physical and mental palate cleanser between the various wings of the museum. …

Our final stop within the museum complex is the gallery dedicated to the work of Kojima Torajiro himself. While he is often remembered as the 'collector' for the Ohara, he was first and foremost a brilliant painter whose own work…

As we conclude our tour of the Ohara Museum of Art, I hope you carry with you the sense of 'premium' quiet and intellectual discovery that this place offers. We have traveled from the religious intensity of 16th-century Spain…