Interview with Special Senior Researcher ?kawa Ayumi
We spoke with ?kawa Ayumi, Special Senior Researcher at the Ohara Art Foundation, about the Kojima Torajiro Memorial Gallery.
Reaffirming the founding principle of being an art museum that celebrates Kojima
I understand that conveying Kojima Torajiro’s achievements has been a wish since the Ohara Museum of Art was founded.
?kawa
That’s right.
However, when the museum first opened, the entire first floor of the present main building was devoted to Kojima’s work, so the wish had already been fulfilled once.
But a museum’s work doesn’t end when it is built.
We wanted to fill gaps, introduce works from different fields, and hold special exhibitions. As a result of these new activities, which are a natural part of being a museum, the collection grew.
As the Ohara Museum of Art’s activities evolved, its facilities expanded, and some works—including works by artists other than Kojima—were moved to different display locations.
With the creation of the Kojima Torajiro Memorial Gallery and the proper provision of a “final home for the works,” we were able to reaffirm the founding principle of being an art museum that celebrates Kojima.
Challenges in preparing for the opening
What difficulties did you face in preparing for the opening?
?kawa
First of all, we had to “make it work through renovation.”
It might have been much cheaper to demolish the building and construct something new and better. But that simply wasn’t possible in Kurashiki’s Bikan Historical Area.
The rules for preserving Kurashiki’s townscape are basically based on early-modern townhouses, and there are no clear rules for modern architecture.
However, a major feature of Kurashiki’s townscape is that it preserves the early-modern streetscape while also reflecting modern development. This building is one example of that.
It is part of the Kurashiki Riverbank Traditional Buildings Preservation District and is also a constituent cultural property of Japan Heritage. The building itself has value as a cultural property. The premise was that it would not be demolished or substantially renovated.
Buildings die when they are no longer used, so they need to be put to use and carried forward. The challenge was to respect and preserve the building while adapting it for a different purpose.
It is an important resource for the town, so we approached the project with the aim of creating a facility that would bring the town to life. It was financially difficult too, and this was truly a situation that called for hard work and ingenuity.
We also struggled to make use of the limited space. Unless every corner is used effectively, the facility cannot function.
One of the roles of the Kojima Torajiro Memorial Gallery is to explain the building’s historical role.
It is a building that served for many years as an important hub of the local economy. Visitors can enjoy seeing the place as it was when local residents used it as an ordinary bank.
Rather than a large bank, it is a small, beautiful building suited to Kurashiki’s scale. Alongside the works on display, I think we can also introduce the depth of this town, which has been part of people’s everyday lives for so long.
Kojima Torajiro’s interest in Chinese and Egyptian cultures
Was Kojima Torajiro’s interest in Chinese and Egyptian cultures from the perspective of a collector, or that of an artist?
?kawa
I think Kojima was someone for whom collecting, looking, and creating through painting were all interconnected. He wanted to absorb various cultures and express them in his work.
Chinese culture, Japanese culture, European culture. He probably didn’t see them as isolated points, but as interconnected. His collection also shows that he was conscious of these connections.
His interest in China and Egypt reflected respect for ancient cultures.
He had traveled through many different regions, and had seen that even small towns had various ethnic costumes, paintings, and excavated artifacts. I think this allowed him to view those cultures equally.
Perhaps he viewed various cultures from a broad perspective, thinking, “That’s cute too; this is interesting too.”
Characteristics of Kojima Torajiro’s works
Could you tell us about the characteristics of Kojima Torajiro’s paintings?
?kawa
First, they incorporate various cultures.
He incorporated different cultures he had encountered into the clothing of figures, or into the furnishings he placed in his paintings.
Perhaps this was natural to him because he lived in such an environment, or perhaps he deliberately wanted to express it.
As a result, I think one characteristic is the visibility of diverse cultures.
Are there any distinctive features in his technique, or changes after he went to Belgium?
?kawa
After going to Belgium and encountering local works of art, his perception of light and color changed significantly.
His paintings changed into works in which color and the light and forms he sought to express were depicted as one. His brushwork became rougher, the color contrasts stronger, and his works brighter overall.
Even after his brushwork became smoother in the 1920s, the light he wanted to depict is clearly expressed in his finest works.
If there is a style that can be said to have remained consistent throughout his life, it would be his unwavering focus on “how to depict light.”
Even before going to Belgium, he pursued ways of depicting a person’s body softly emerging in backlight. Light is especially distinctive in his Belgian period. Even after his brushwork became smoother in the 1920s, the light he wanted to depict comes through clearly in the works I consider good.
Even as his style changed, his careful attention to how he depicted light may be considered one of Kojima’s defining characteristics.
I feel that Kojima Torajiro is not very well known as a painter.
? River
One reason may be that the Ohara Museum of Art owns many of Kojima’s works.
Unless the Ohara Museum of Art actively introduces Kojima and research into his works progresses, his reputation as a painter will not spread, and opportunities for the general public to learn about him will remain limited.
However, people who have actually seen his works rate them very highly. His works also rank highly in surveys asking people to name their favorite paintings, and I think he is an artist who captures people’s interest.
Now that a place has been established where his works are always on display, I think that if you see them in person, you are sure to enjoy them.
Get to Know Kojima Torajiro
Kojima Torajiro learned about and respected diverse cultures, incorporating them into his own works.
As a collector and a painter, he left a lasting mark on Japan’s art world and served as a bridge between cultures.
I feel that many of Kojima’s works are warm and make you feel happy. They make you want to learn about distant worlds while also making you cherish everyday life; they are filled with this kind of charm.
The Kojima Torajiro Memorial Gallery can be visited with the same admission ticket as the Ohara Museum of Art’s Main Gallery and Crafts and Oriental Art Gallery.
In a building rooted in everyday life in Kurashiki, experience the rich culture passed down through generations through Kojima Torajiro’s collection and works.
Articles about the Ohara Museum of Art
Kojima Torajiro Memorial Gallery at the Ohara Museum of Art: Information
| Name | Kojima Torajiro Memorial Gallery at the Ohara Museum of Art |
|---|---|
| Location | 3-1 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-422-0005 |
| Parking | None |
| Opening hours | 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. ※Last admission is at 3:30 p.m.; from December to February, closes at 3:00 p.m. |
| Closed | Mondays May close temporarily Open if a closure falls on a public holiday or substitute holiday Open daily from late July through August |
| Admission (tax included) | Combined admission to the Ohara Museum of Art Main Building, Craft and Oriental Art Gallery, and Kojima Torajiro Memorial Gallery Adults: ¥2,000 High school, junior high school, and elementary school students (under 18): ¥500 ※Tickets are available at the ticket counter in front of the Ohara Museum of Art Main Building |
| Payment methods |
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| Reservations | Available No reservation required for individuals |
| Smoking | Entirely non-smoking |
| Restrooms | Accessible restroom |
| Childcare | Diaper-changing table |
| Accessibility | Ramp, accessible restroom, elevator |
| Website | Ohara Museum of Art Official Website |
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