The Yasugi City Kano Museum, commonly known as the Kano Museum, is a public art museum located in the peaceful, mountainous area of Hirose Town in Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture. Surrounded by beautiful natural scenery, the museum is particularly known for introducing the art and philosophy of peace of Kano Kanrai, a Western-style painter from the local area.
The museum was established in 1996 by Kano Hiroki, the eldest son of Kano Kanrai. His goal was to support the development of local culture and create a center for cultural activities and lifelong learning. It originally opened as a private museum, became a municipal museum of the former Hirose Town in 2002, and became part of Yasugi City following the municipal merger in 2004.
The collection includes paintings and calligraphy by Kano Kanrai, documents related to his peace activities, outstanding Bizen ware ceramics, Japanese paintings, and works by artists connected with the local region. In its quiet natural surroundings, visitors can take their time appreciating art while reflecting on the importance of peace.
Kano Kanrai (1904–1977) was a Western-style painter born in Nunobe Village in Nogi District, Shimane, now part of Hirose Town in Yasugi. After World War II, he also became known for his activities advocating peace. His given name was Tatsuo, while “Kanrai” was his artistic name.
In 1926, he moved to Tokyo, where he studied at the Kawabata School of Art and the Hongo Institute of Western Painting. He also studied under Okada Saburosuke, one of the leading figures in modern Japanese Western-style painting. During this period, he interacted with young artists such as Maeda Kanji and Saeki Yuzo, gradually developing his skills and artistic identity.
From 1931, he submitted works to exhibitions organized by the Independent Art Association and received recognition for his paintings. He later worked as a teacher at an elementary school in Hamada, Shimane, where he was also involved in children’s education and contributed to the development of local artistic activities.
After leaving his teaching position in 1937, Kanrai traveled to the Korean Peninsula and later worked as a military artist in Shanxi Province, China, where he depicted scenes of the war.
His experiences during the war had a profound influence on his life and beliefs. After the war, he learned that many Japanese soldiers were being held as war criminals following the Manila military trials in the Philippines. He began campaigning for their release and seeking clemency for those facing punishment.
Kanrai repeatedly wrote to Elpidio Quirino, then President of the Philippines, asking him to grant clemency to Japanese prisoners convicted as war criminals. He sent more than 40 letters to the president and also sent petitions calling for peace to influential figures in countries around the world.
In his letters, Kanrai repeatedly expressed the belief that “turning hatred into love” was the path humanity should follow. His sincere campaign gradually attracted widespread attention.
On July 4, 1953, President Quirino announced a pardon for 105 Japanese war criminals. The event became an important symbolic episode in postwar relations between Japan and the Philippines, and Kanrai became widely known for his dedication to peace.
After returning to his hometown, Kanrai served as mayor of Nunobe Village from 1954 to 1957. During his time in office, he advocated the “Five Peace Declarations of Nunobe Village” before the village assembly.
He also called for the establishment of a “World Children’s Charter” to protect the rights of children around the world. His commitment to peace continued throughout his life.
In his later years, Kanrai devoted himself to ink painting and calligraphy, expressing his hopes for peace through art. He died on August 15, 1977, at the age of 73, but his ideals continue to be introduced to visitors through the Kano Museum.
The museum houses approximately 130 works and historical materials related to Kano Kanrai, including paintings, calligraphy, and documents concerning his peace activities.
Alongside his artworks, visitors can see handwritten materials and mimeographed documents associated with his campaign for the release of Japanese prisoners in the Philippines. These materials provide valuable insight into the history of postwar peace activities in Japan.
The museum’s exhibitions are also used for peace education programs for schoolchildren, providing an opportunity for younger generations to learn about war and consider the importance of peace.
Another major attraction of the Kano Museum is its collection of approximately 780 Bizen ware ceramics.
Bizen ware is a traditional Japanese pottery produced mainly around Bizen City in Okayama Prefecture. It is one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns, along with Seto, Tokoname, Tamba, Echizen, and Shigaraki, and is recognized for its particularly long history.
One of the defining characteristics of Bizen ware is its traditional firing method, which does not use glaze. The pottery is fired at high temperatures in a wood-fired kiln for an extended period, allowing ash and flames to naturally create distinctive colors and patterns on the surface.
This simple yet powerful appearance is sometimes described as the “art of earth and fire.” Bizen ware also has a long connection with Japanese tea culture and has traditionally been used for tea utensils and other objects.
The museum’s second exhibition room features works by renowned Bizen ware artists who have been recognized as Living National Treasures, one of Japan’s highest honors for artists who preserve important traditional cultural techniques.
Kaneshige Toyo, Yamamoto Toshu, Fujiwara Kei, Fujiwara Yu, and Isezaki Jun are among the artists represented in the collection.
Kaneshige Toyo in particular is known as the “father of the revival of Bizen ware.” During the Showa period, he played an important role in revitalizing Bizen pottery, which had declined in popularity, while bringing the beauty of the Momoyama period back into contemporary ceramics.
The museum displays a wide variety of his works, including decorative figures of Hotei, the Buddhist monk associated with happiness and good fortune, as well as lion figures and incense burners.
One of the pleasures of Bizen ware is that every piece develops a unique appearance depending on how flames and ash interact with the pottery inside the kiln.
Examples include Goma, a pattern resembling sesame seeds created when ash adheres to the surface; Hidasuki, which produces distinctive reddish lines; and Botamochi, characterized by rounded markings.
The museum allows visitors to compare works by numerous renowned Bizen artists and discover the remarkable variety and depth of this traditional Japanese pottery.
The collection extends beyond Bizen ware and Western-style paintings to include a number of Japanese paintings. Among them are works by Ono Chikkyo and Ikeda Yoson, two major Japanese painters associated with Okayama Prefecture whose works delicately express the beauty of Japan’s natural landscapes.
The museum also houses many works by artists connected with Yasugi and the surrounding region. These include sculptures by Nishida Akifumi and Hosoda Ikuhiro, as well as watercolor paintings by Aoto Satoshi.
Special exhibitions featuring local artists are held approximately four times a year, further strengthening the museum’s role as a center for introducing and preserving the region’s artistic culture.
The Yasugi City Kano Museum stands in a quiet mountainous setting surrounded by forests and hills. Visitors can enjoy art while experiencing the changing beauty of nature throughout the year.
Fresh green foliage in spring and colorful autumn leaves create especially beautiful surroundings. The peaceful atmosphere makes it possible to slow down and appreciate the artworks away from the noise and bustle of larger cities.
The museum is approximately 20 minutes by car from the Yasugi Interchange on the San’in Expressway. From JR Yasugi Station, a taxi takes approximately 30 minutes.
Because the museum is located in a scenic mountainous area, it is also a pleasant destination for travelers exploring the region by car. It can easily be combined with sightseeing around Yasugi City and other attractions in eastern Shimane.
The Yasugi City Kano Museum is more than an art museum. Through the works and historical materials of Kano Kanrai, it introduces the importance of peace that he continued to advocate throughout his life.
Visitors can appreciate paintings, ceramics, calligraphy, and other artworks while also learning about the history of war and reflecting on the value of peace. Set against the quiet natural scenery of Yasugi, the museum offers a thoughtful cultural experience for travelers interested in Japanese art, local history, and the enduring message of peace.