The University Art Museum
Audio Guide
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Highlights
- A Living Artist’s Archive: This is the creative heart of Japan’s top art school, Tokyo University of the Arts (Geidai), offering a unique glimpse into the nation’s artistic evolution.
- National Treasures: The collection holds over 30,000 items, including 23 National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, such as ancient painted scrolls and masterpieces of modern Japanese painting.
- “Salmon” by Yuichi Takahashi: See a national icon. This incredibly realistic painting of a salmon is one of the most famous and beloved works of modern Japanese Western-style art.
- The Graduation Exhibitions: A vibrant look at the future. The museum is famous for its annual student graduation shows, a celebrated event to discover the next generation of great artists.
- Geidai Art Plaza: A place to take art home. This charming shop, located on campus, sells original artworks, crafts, and goods created by current students and faculty.
Description
Welcome, friend, to a very special place. You are standing on the grounds of The University Art Museum, located on the campus of Tokyo University of the Arts (Geidai). This is more than just a museum; it is a living, breathing archive of creativity, born from the very institution that has trained Japan’s most celebrated artists, musicians, and designers for over 130 years. Here, nestled in the cultural forest of Ueno Park, you can feel the pulse of Japan’s artistic past, present, and future all at once.
This museum was founded to gather “reference materials” for its students, and in doing so, it created one of Japan’s most important collections. Unlike other museums, it has no permanent exhibition, meaning every visit can be a new surprise. On one visit, you may come face-to-face with breathtaking National Treasures, such as the ancient “Illustrated Sutra of Cause and Effect.” On another, you might be moved by the powerful, modern masterpieces of former professors and graduates, including Yuichi Takahashi’s iconic painting “Salmon,” a work so realistic you can almost feel its presence.
But the true, vibrant spirit of “Geidai” is most felt during its renowned student exhibitions. The annual graduation show is a major cultural event in Tokyo, a thrilling opportunity to walk among the works of Japan’s future masters. It’s a place of raw talent, bold experiments, and boundless imagination. We are so happy you are here to witness this unique intersection of history and innovation, where the masters of the past inspire the geniuses of tomorrow. Enjoy this inspiring walk through the heart of Japanese creativity.
Plan Your Visit
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