Jōtenkaku Museum, Where You Can Always See Masterpiece of Itō Jakuchū’s Ink Painting

Jōtenkaku Museum, Where You Can Always See Masterpiece of Itō Jakuchū’s Ink Painting
Jōtenkaku Museum, Where You Can Always See Masterpiece of Itō Jakuchū’s Ink Painting

 

No one will deny the fact that Itō Jakuchū is one of the most popular artists in not only Edo period painting, but also in all Japanese arts.

Itō Jakuchū by Kubota Beisen
Itō Jakuchū by Kubota Beisen

It was in 1759, only four years after he became an artist, that he was entrusted with the wall painting of the Rinzaishū Shōkoku-ji group’s branch temple Rokuon-ji Daishoin, one of the high-class temple in Kyoto. The wall painting drawn at that time named “ Rokuon-ji Ōshoin Kyū(Old) Shōhekiga” was drawn in ink brush with a motif of grapes and bashō (Japanese banana), and the painting has been moved and kept here in Jōtenkaku Museum.

Grapes Wall Painting by Itō Jakuchū in Jōtenkaku Museum
Grapes Wall Painting by Itō Jakuchū in Jōtenkaku Museum
Japanese Banana Wall Painting by Itō Jakuchū in Jōtenkaku Museum
Japanese Banana Wall Painting by Itō Jakuchū in Jōtenkaku Museum

 

Most of Jakuchū’s art pieces are hanging scroll art, and there are not many masterpieces as big as this one except for “Hanamaru-zu” in Shikoku region’s Kotohiragū Okushoin and “Saboten Gunkei-zu Fusuma” in Osaka’s Saifuku-ji Temple. It is also valuable as a unique space that is permanently exhibited in the temple grounds famous to the artist. There is no doubt that it is one of the places that you should definitely visit even if you are not a fan of Jakuchū.

“Hanamaru-zu” in Shikoku region’s Kotohiragū Okushoin by Itō Jakuchū
“Hanamaru-zu” in Shikoku region’s Kotohiragū Okushoin by Itō Jakuchū
“Saboten Gunkei-zu Fusuma” in Osaka’s Saifuku-ji Temple by Itō Jakuchū
“Saboten Gunkei-zu Fusuma” in Osaka’s Saifuku-ji Temple by Itō Jakuchū

If you look at the art piece in detail, you can immediately understand why Jakuchū, who was nothing more than an art member of Kanō and Tosa, was given a big work to draw wall painting of a big temple’s important space. An outstanding brushstroke definitely catches people’s hearts.

Also the museum houses national treasures and various important cultural properties, so this museum is a must-see for Japanese art fans.

Name Jōtenkaku Museum
Address Imadegawa-dori, Karasuma Higashi-iru Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-0898 Japan
Telephone 075-241-0423 (Japanese only)
Access

By train: Subway Karasuma Line:Get off at Imadegawa Station.

By bus:

City Bus:Get off at Karasuma Imadegawa Stop.

City Bus:Get off at Doshisha-mae Stop.

From Kinkaku-ji

City Bus:Get on at Kinkakuji-michi Stop.Get off at Karasuma Imadegawa Stop.

City Bus:Get on at Kinkakuji-michi Stop.Get off at Dōshisha-mae Stop.

From Ginkaku-ji

City Bus:Get on at Ginkakuji-michi Stop.Get off at Karasuma Imadegawa Stop.

City Bus:Get one at Ginkakuji-michi Stop.Get off at Doshisha-mae Stop.
Fee
General: JPY800 yen
Seniors (over 65) and University students: JPY600
High school and Middle School students: JPY300
Elementary School Students: JPY200
  • For groups of 20 or more, there is a ¥100 discount on the admission fee.
  • Admission is free for the disabled (must have certification) and one caretaker.
  • Admission fee may change depending on the exhibition.
  • This building is barrier-free.
Open
10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
  • enter by 4:30 p.m.