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This Month > Museums, Theatre & Other Fun
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GOLDEN PAVILION AREA
Kyoto Prefectural Insho Domoto Museum of Fine Arts
Domoto Insho (1891-1975), a great Kyoto-born Japanese painter, worked in several styles including impressionist and abstract; 500 yen; 9:30-17:00 (enter by 16:30); closed Mon.; Tel: 075-463-0007.
Kyoto Shosuikaku Nishijin Ori Museum
Experience the wonder of exquisite textile and art reproductions using super-fine Nishijin weaving techniques; Tel: 075-431-1670.
Nishijin Textile Center
Kyoto kimono and obi textile arts; exhibits include a Jacquard loom; an hourly kimono show, and many Nishijin textile products; 9:00-17:00; Tel: 075-451-9231.
Urasenke Center
Special exhibitions related to Chado, the Way of Tea, at this world-famous tea school's modern headquarters; visitors can experience a bowl of maccha tea, served with a Japanese traditional sweet; Tel: 075-431-6474.
KIYOMIZU TEMPLE AREA
Kawai Kanjiro's House
The fascinating home and studio of mingei (folk art) potter/designer Kawai Kanjiro (1890-1966); 900 yen; 10:00-17:00, closed Mon.; Tel: 075-561-3585.
Kiyomizu Sannenzaka Museum
Until Aug. 22: Settai Komura Exhibition: Settai Komura (1887-1940) was a famous Japanese painter in the early Showa period. The exhibition focuses on Komura's deep inner sense of beauty and shows how he expressed his special sense of beauty in his art; 500 yen.
Memorial Museum of Kondo Yuzo
Works by Kondo Yuzo (1902-1985), a living national treasure known for his exquisite pottery glaze paintings; also a gift shop; 500 yen; 10:00-17:00; closed Wed.; Tel: 075-561-2917.
NIJO CASTLE AREA
Kyoto Shibori Kogeikan
Learn traditional shibori dyeing (a Japanese tie-dye textile technique); about 90 min.; 3,000 yen; reservations required; they also have kimonos and scarves in their craft shop; 9:00-17:00 (closed irregularly); Tel: 075-221-4252.
Horino Memorial Museum
This museum used to be the residence of the founder of Kinshi Masamune, founder of one of Japan's most respected sake producers. Visitors can see up close how sake is produced and enjoy the taste of freshly brewed sake; 11:00-17:00 (beer hall: 11:00-21:00), closed Mon.; Tel: 075-223-2072.
GION AREA
Kahitsukan Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art
This fantastic private museum, in the Gion district, has four, serene floors of wonderful Japanese paintings and sculpture and a roof-top moss garden; 1,000 yen; 10:00-17:30 (entry until 17:00), closed Mon.; Tel: 075-525-1311.
Tetsuo Ishihara Museum of Traditional Japanese Hairstyles
This museum displays 115 different hairstyles and over 300 exquisite hair ornaments; all labeled in English; 600 yen; 10:00-17:00, closed Wed.; Tel: 075-551-9071.
Yasui Kompira Emado Museum
An extraordinary collection of art and prayer painted on wood called ema, a common form of hand-painted shrine votive prayer tablet; 500 yen; 10:00-16:00, closed Mon.; Tel: 075-561-5127.
HEIAN SHRINE AREA
Hosomi Museum
Until Sept. 26: Hosomi Museum Art Campus: a number of traditional and modern art works by artists from Kyoto; 1,000 yen; also a fine museum shop and a cafe; 10:00-18:00, closed Mon. (or Tues, if Mon is a natl. holiday); Tel: 075-752-5555.
Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art
Until Aug. 29: European Masterpieces from The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; 80 works, beginning with old masters and the 19th century with the Barbizon school and Impressionism, culminating with 20th century artists such as Picasso and Matisse; 1,500 yen; Permanent: ceramics, sculpture, scrolls, calligraphy; 9:00-17:00 (enter by 16:30), closed Mon. except natl. holidays; Tel: 075-771-4107.
Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts
Exhibits on all of Kyoto’s craft traditions; plus videos and a small library; guidance available in English, Chinese and Korean;until Aug. 29: Kyoto Sensu Fan Exhibition: about 60 elegant sensu & uchiwa fans will be displayed; Traditional Craft Demonstration: every day (except for Mon.) 10:00-16:30; visitors can closely watch and learn how experienced Kyoto craftsmen work; Maiko Dance: every Sun., from 14:00-15:30 (3 performances), a dance performance by a real maiko; 9:00-17:00; free of charge.
Namikawa Cloisonne Museum of Kyoto
Namikawa Yasuyuki (1845-1927) was the greatest Japanese modern master of cloisonne (enamelware); 10:00-16:30; closed Mon., Thurs. & July 26-Sept. 10, Dec. 8-Mar. 13; 600 yen; Tel: 075-752-3277.
National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto
Until Aug. 22: Trouble in Paradise/Medi(t)ation of Survival: as the 130th anniversary of the Kyoto City University of Arts, this exhibition introduces twelve projects developed in Japan and abroad that challenge cutting-edge themes of the present day; 850 yen; Permanent: paintings, ceramics, sculptures, prints and photos by Japanese and foreign artists; 9:30-17:00 (until 20:00 on Fri.); closed Mon.; Tel: 075-761-4111.
IMPERIAL PALACE AREA
Adachi Kumihimo Gallery
A wide range of kumihimo braiding from different eras of Japanese history are exhibited; 500 yen; 9:00-16:00; closed Sun., national holidays; 2nd, 3rd, 4th Sat.; Tel: 075-432-4113.
Raku Museum
Masterpiece tea bowls of past Raku masters and the present 15th-generation master, Kichizaemon; 900 yen; 10:00-16:30; closed Mon.; Tel: 075-414-0304.
Shokoku-ji Jotenkaku Museum
Precious treasures (screens, scrolls, etc.) of Zen history and culture (1200-1800) belonging to the Shokoku-ji, Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji Zen temples; 1,000 yen; 10:00-17:00; Tel: 075-241-0423.
DOWNTOWN AREA
Kyoto Art Center
The Kyoto Art Center was set up to support young artists and encourages the preservation of Kyoto's traditional arts; quiet cafe/bar on the 1st floor; Tel: 075-213-1000.
Kyoto International Manga Museum
Japan's first museum dedicated to the world of manga comics; until Sept. 26: Genealogy of the Figurine: from ancient dogu (clay dolls) to the latest anime model figures by Kaiyoudo, the history of Japanese "figure" culture is explored; 10:00-18:00 (until 20:00 in Aug.); 1,000 yen; Tel: 075-254-7414
Onishi Seiwemon Museum
The Onishi family is one of the few families left in Japan that still make fine iron tea kettles for the Japanese tea ceremony; 10:00-16:30 (enter by 16:00); 700 yen; closed Mon. & between special exhibitions; Tel: 075-221-2881.
Shiorian Museum
A stunning traditional machiya townhouse devoted to kimono culture; superb Japanese-style interiors; 500 yen; 10:00-17:00, closed irregularly; advanced reservation required; Tel: 075-241-0215.
The Museum of Kyoto
Until Sept. 26: OLMECA: the ancient Mexican culture of Olmeca will be featured in this special exhibit; 1,300 yen; Craft Gallery (3F): Permanent: Kyoto art and craft masterworks; and Kyoto archaeological artifacts, local crafts & toys; 10:00-19:30 (enter by 19:00), closed Mon. & the day after natl. holidays; 500 yen; Tel: 075-222-0888.
KYOTO STATION AREA
Costume Museum
Heian period clothing, and furniture, fittings and dolls in miniature palaces; 400 yen; 9:00-17:00; closed Sun., national holiday; 5F Izutsu Bldg, Tel: 075-342-5345.
Kyoto National Museum
Until Aug. 29: Commemorating the 200th Memorial of Ueda Akinari: Ueda Akinari (1734-1809) produced many different works as a novelist, poet, and scholar of Japanese literature and culture to create his own unique realm; 800 yen; 9:30-18:00 (until 20:00 on Fri.); Tel: 075-541-1151
Museum Eki KYOTO (7F of Isetan Dept. Store)
A small but fine museum in the Isetan department store. Special exhibitions are held regularly; 10:00-20:00 (until 17:00 on the last day); Tel: 075-352-1111.
Saga/Arashiyama AREA
Ogura Hyakunin Isshu Hall, Shigureden
The Ogura Hyakunin Isshu is an anthology of 100 excellent Japanese poems written by different 100 poets. At this museum, visitors can play a digital version of a popular traditional card game using the poems; 10:00-17:00 (entry until 16:30), closed Mon.; Tel: 075-882-1111.
Saga Toriimoto Town Preservation Center
The Saga area developed as a town connected to Atago Shrine in the 17th century and there are many traditional style houses in the area's beautiful natural surroundings; 10:00-16:00, closed Mon., Tel: 075-864-2406.
OTHER AREAS
Kameoka Exchange Center
Kameoka Exchange Center (KEC) hosts a wide range of activities and events related the exchange of culture between Kameoka’s citizens and foreign countries. 1) lessons and lectures on multi-cultural topics. 2) Hosting artists and groups from around the world that are interested in studying about Japan. 3) Home-stay programs; for more information see KEC's homepage; Aug. 7&21: Global Understanding Festa: series of workshops to learn about Costa Rica, their life and culture; 21st: 18:30-21:00: Bolivian movie watching "El Regalo De La Pachamama"; free of charge, reservation requred; Kameoka is just west of Kyoto and can be reached in about 30 minutes on the JR system from Kyoto Station or Nijo Station on the Tozai subway line; free shuttle buses to KEC depart regularly from JR Kameoka Stn., Namikawa Stn., and Chiyokawa Stn; Tel: 0771-26-5001; Fax: 0771-26-5002.
Miho Museum
The Miho Museum, designed by the world-renowned architect I. M. Pei, opened in November 1997. The museum's stunning collection includes Japanese tea ceremony art, Buddhist art, Japanese ceramics, and masterpiece works from ancient civilizations the world over; 10:00-17:00 (entry until 16:00); closed Mon. & between exhibitions; Tel: 0748-82-3411; the museum will be closed from Aug 16-Sept 3.
Asahi Beer Oyamazaki Villa Museum
A fine museum set in vast garden; the annex was designed by Tadao Ando and is home to a water lily Monet original; 10:00-17:00 (entry until 16:30), closed: Mon.; 700 yen; Tel: 075-957-3123; a 15-min. walk from JR Yamazaki Stn. or Hankyu Oyamazaki Stn.;the museum will be closed Until Sept.30.
Kyoto International Community House
KICH (open 9:00-21:00, closed Mon., unless a national holiday, in which case it is closed on the following day, Tues.) has a wide variety of facilities and services, including an excellent library (open 9:30-20:30, closed Mon.); computer/internet cafe, an excellent notice/ad board section, and free immigration/legal consulting services; Traditional Japanese Arts: enquire; The Way of Sencha: Tue.; 14:00-16:00; enquire; Japanese Classes: Fri.; beginners: 13:00-15:00, 18:00-20:00; intermediate: 15:30-17:30; enquire; Tel: 752-3511; http://www.kcif.or.jp/en/
2010 August
Published on the 1st
of every month.
The 245th issue, since 1987.