Morijuku Museum of Art is a charming art museum in Tsuwano, Shimane Prefecture. The museum was created by restoring and renovating a historic residence that once belonged to the head village official of the Tsuwano Domain. The building’s traditional Japanese architecture provides a beautiful setting for the artworks displayed inside.
Located about a 15-minute walk from JR Tsuwano Station, the museum is an easy place to visit while exploring the historic streets of Tsuwano. The combination of traditional architecture, Japanese culture, and Western art gives the museum a distinctive atmosphere.
The collection includes works by Nakao Akira, a Western-style painter born in Tsuwano, and his wife, painter Yoshiura Maya. The museum also exhibits valuable prints from “The Art of Bullfighting” series by Francisco Goya, one of Spain’s most celebrated artists, making it an interesting destination for art enthusiasts.
The museum occupies the former Yashige Family Residence, a building constructed during the Meiji period. The substantial two-story wooden structure retains many features of a traditional residence belonging to a village headman, including massive beams, dark polished wooden pillars, and a spacious earthen-floored entrance area.
The building’s dignified irimoya-zukuri roof, a traditional Japanese roof style combining gabled and hipped elements, and its tiled exterior give it an imposing appearance. Inside, the warmth of the wood and the quiet atmosphere create a peaceful environment for viewing art.
One of the museum’s attractions is that the building itself is part of the experience. Visitors can appreciate the craftsmanship and atmosphere of traditional Japanese architecture while exploring the artworks on display.
The museum features works by Nakao Akira, a Western-style painter who was born in Tsuwano in 1904. He was a member of the Independent Art Association and continued his artistic career while maintaining a close connection with nature.
Nakao had a particular affection for the Tateshina Highlands in Nagano Prefecture and continued creating art surrounded by its beautiful natural landscapes. His works offer visitors an opportunity to encounter the perspective of an artist who found inspiration in the Japanese countryside.
Works by Yoshiura Maya are also displayed in the museum. Her paintings are characterized by rich colors and a gentle, welcoming atmosphere.
Yoshiura also created murals for hospitals and other spaces. Her artwork conveys a sense of warmth and calm, making it especially well suited to the quiet setting of the museum. Together, the works of Nakao and Yoshiura create an intimate atmosphere within the historic residence.
Another highlight of Morijuku Museum of Art is its collection of copperplate prints from “The Art of Bullfighting” by the Spanish master Francisco Goya. The series is considered an important part of Goya’s artistic legacy and is of considerable interest to visitors fascinated by European art.
In particular, the museum displays a final edition of the prints. The original printing plates are preserved at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando in Madrid, and the edition on display is considered especially valuable because no further impressions are to be produced from the plates.
The opportunity to encounter European art inside a historic Japanese residence creates an unusual cultural experience. It is one of the museum’s distinctive features and provides an unexpected connection between the artistic traditions of Japan and Spain.
One of the museum’s most unusual sights can be found toward the back of the second floor. Through a small knot hole in one of the wooden storm shutters, light enters the room and projects an upside-down image of the garden onto the interior surface.
This is essentially a natural example of the principle behind a pinhole camera. The inverted landscape appears almost like a mysterious projection, offering visitors a chance to experience the basic optical principle behind early cameras.
Watching the garden image appear in the quiet interior can be an unexpectedly fascinating moment. It is a small detail of the historic building, but one that often leaves a strong impression on visitors.
Morijuku Museum of Art was established by Iizuka Michimasa, the founder of the home-improvement retailer Juntendo. The name “Morijuku” reflects the hope that the museum would become a place where people could gather, talk, and spend time in a peaceful environment.
The combination of a substantial traditional Japanese house and colorful paintings creates an atmosphere that is both nostalgic and tranquil. The dark wood, traditional architectural details, and quiet exhibition rooms provide a striking contrast to the vivid colors of the artworks.
For travelers, the museum offers more than an opportunity to view paintings. It is a place where art, history, traditional architecture, and the culture of Tsuwano can be experienced together at a leisurely pace.
Tsuwano is known as the “Little Kyoto of the San’in Region”, with traditional streets, historic residences, temples, shrines, and other reminders of its former castle-town culture.
Morijuku Museum of Art is conveniently located within walking distance of the station and can easily be incorporated into a walking tour of the town. After exploring Tsuwano’s historic streets, visitors can step inside this traditional residence and enjoy a quieter encounter with art and history.
Location: Tsuwano Town, Kanoashi District, Shimane Prefecture
Access: Approximately 15 minutes on foot from JR Tsuwano Station
Admission: Free
For travelers interested in art, architecture, and Japanese history, Morijuku Museum of Art is a rewarding stop in Tsuwano. Take time to admire the historic building, discover the works of Nakao Akira and Yoshiura Maya, and experience the fascinating pinhole-camera effect created by the old wooden shutters.