Togo Murano "Dialogue with the Forest: The Design Plan for the Yatsugatake Museum of Art"
Yatsugatake Museum of Art
Until Jun 28
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Artists
Togo Murano
Togo Murano (1891-1984) was born in Mitsushima Village, Higashimatsuura District, Saga Prefecture (present-day Karatsu City). After graduating from Waseda University, he worked at the Watanabe Setsu Architectural Office before establishing Murano Architectural Office in 1929. As one of Japan's leading architects, he designed numerous famous buildings.
The Yatsugatake Museum of Art, the last public art museum designed by Murano, was conceived in 1980 after receiving a donation of works by Takaji Shimizu, a sculptor from Hara Village, Nagano Prefecture, who, like Murano, was a member of the Japan Art Academy. Around the same time, the Ayku ruins were discovered and, after a preservation movement, were designated a national historic site. Therefore, the museum was constructed as a historical and folk museum comprehensively exhibiting regional materials related to archaeology, history, and art. The initial sketches depicted a basic concept of a corridor piercing through two parallel exhibition buildings, leading to the design of a highland art museum/historical and folk museum that integrates the history, culture, and art of the foothills with the forests of Yatsugatake. The building was constructed by Suwa Civil Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.
This exhibition will focus on the changes from the initial sketches to the actual construction and up to the present day, showcasing architectural materials such as models, blueprints, and photographs. Drone footage shot by Kiyotoshi Mori (MDS/architect) will project the current appearance of the Yatsugatake Museum of Art. A lecture by a leading architectural historian will be held to deepen understanding of Togo Murano's architecture, which is currently being re-evaluated both domestically and internationally.
The Yatsugatake Museum of Art, the last public art museum designed by Murano, was conceived in 1980 after receiving a donation of works by Takaji Shimizu, a sculptor from Hara Village, Nagano Prefecture, who, like Murano, was a member of the Japan Art Academy. Around the same time, the Ayku ruins were discovered and, after a preservation movement, were designated a national historic site. Therefore, the museum was constructed as a historical and folk museum comprehensively exhibiting regional materials related to archaeology, history, and art. The initial sketches depicted a basic concept of a corridor piercing through two parallel exhibition buildings, leading to the design of a highland art museum/historical and folk museum that integrates the history, culture, and art of the foothills with the forests of Yatsugatake. The building was constructed by Suwa Civil Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.
This exhibition will focus on the changes from the initial sketches to the actual construction and up to the present day, showcasing architectural materials such as models, blueprints, and photographs. Drone footage shot by Kiyotoshi Mori (MDS/architect) will project the current appearance of the Yatsugatake Museum of Art. A lecture by a leading architectural historian will be held to deepen understanding of Togo Murano's architecture, which is currently being re-evaluated both domestically and internationally.
Schedule Now in session | Mar 28 (Sat) 2026-Jun 28 (Sun) 2026 41 days left Opening Hours Information
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| Fee | Adults, University and High School Students ¥510; Junior High and Elementary School Students ¥250 | ||
| Venue | Yatsugatake Museum of Art https://yatsubi.com/en/  | ||
| Location | 17217-1611 Haramura, Suwa-gun, Nagano 391-0115 | ||
| Access | 15 minutes by taxi from Fujimi Station on the JR Chuo Main line; From Chino Station on the JR Chuo Main line, take the bus for 30 minutes and get off at Gakurin. The venue is 20 minute walk from there. | ||
| Related images | Click on the image to enlarge it    |
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