Gotoh Museum
Audio Guide
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Highlights
- The Tale of Genji Scroll: A National Treasure. See fragments of the oldest existing illustrated scroll of “The Tale of Genji,” a priceless, 12th-century masterpiece of Japanese art. (Displayed for a short period in spring).
- Murasaki Shikibu Diary Scroll: Another National Treasure. Gaze upon a 13th-century illustrated diary scroll depicting court life, attributed to the author of “The Tale of Genji” herself. (Displayed for a short period in autumn).
- A Walk Through Time: The museum’s core collection, amassed by Keita Gotoh, is a treasure chest of classical Japanese and Chinese art, including calligraphy, paintings, ceramics, and tea utensils.
- The Serene Garden: Escape into a vast, 20,000-square-meter traditional garden. It’s a natural sanctuary with rolling paths, ponds, Buddhist statues, and historic teahouses.
Description
Welcome, dear friend, to The Gotoh Museum, a tranquil sanctuary where Japan’s most profound artistic treasures are cradled in nature. Tucked away in a quiet Setagaya neighborhood, this museum is a place of deep, serene beauty. It was born from the passion of one man, Keita Gotoh, founder of the Tokyu Group, who gathered a magnificent collection of classical art that speaks to the very soul of Japanese and East Asian culture.
This is a place of pilgrimage for art lovers. The museum is the revered guardian of five National Treasures, including fragments of the 12th-century “Tale of Genji Picture Scroll.” For a fleeting moment each spring, you can gaze upon these delicate, hauntingly beautiful scenes, the oldest surviving illustrations of the world’s first novel. In autumn, the museum reveals another treasure: the “Murasaki Shikibu Diary Scroll,” offering a precious, painted glimpse into the Heian court life of the author herself.
But the art is only half of the experience. The museum building, an elegant example of modern Japanese architecture, opens onto a breathtaking natural garden. We invite you to lose yourself on its winding paths, discovering hidden ponds, ancient stone Buddhas, and traditional teahouses. It is a garden for all seasons—a place to reflect, to breathe, and to feel the perfect harmony between human artistry and the natural world. We are so happy you are here to share in this peaceful and timeless world.
Plan Your Visit
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