Kurokawa Institute of Ancient Cultures
Apr 2nd, 2007 by Ad Blankestijn
In the Kansai, there are several small museums with great and rare collections, which are easy to miss as they are only open a few weeks each spring and autumn. One of these is the Kurokawa Institute of Ancient Cultures in Nishinomiya. The institute was established in 1950 by Kurokawa Koshichi, a financier from Osaka, to administer the collection of art and antiquities of his family. As the name indicates, it is primarily a research facility. Many of the 10,000 pieces owned by the institute or rare and unusual. They are from both China and Japan.
In the Chinese section, we find oracle bones, jade and bronzes from the Shang and Zhou Dynasties; belt hooks, roof tiles and tomb slabs from the Han dynasty; and bronze mirrors from all periods. Valuable is also the collection of ancient and modern Chinese coins. From the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties we have paintings and calligraphy, as well as inkstones, ink sticks, seals and rubbings. A famous painting is Wintry Trees by a Lake, by Dong Yuan (10th c.).
In the Japanese section we find bronze bells from the Kofun period and mirrors and roof tiles from all periods. There is also a large collection of swords and sword ornaments, among which beautiful sword guards (tsuba) by Tsuchiya Yasuchika. Then we have a large group of sutras (Nara and Heian) and objects used in Buddhist rituals. Besides calligraphy, we also find paintings by Korin, Hoitsu, Kiitsu and Goshun.
In all, there are two National Treasures and 16 Important Cultural Properties. The exhibitions are held in a large room on the second floor of the institute. This year’s exhibition will be from April 14 to May 13 and will show ancient Japanese tiles, swords from the Kamakura period, mirrors from the Kamakura and Muromachi periods, and paintings from the late Edo and Meiji periods. Chinese items on view will include mirrors from the Tang Dynasty, and coins from the Southern Song and Yuan periods. Entrance fee is 500 yen.
Tel: 0798-71-1205
Address: 14-50 Kurakuen, Nishinomiya-shi, Hyogo-ken 662-0081
Hours: 10:00-16:00. Closed Mondays.
Access: Take a bus from Hankyu Shukugawa St and get off at Kayando stop, then walk 800 m west. Or take a 10-min taxi from Hankyu Shukugawa St (15 min from JR Ashiya St).
