An artistic day inspired by Hokusai off the coast of the Miura Peninsula

When you think of ukiyo-e, what comes to mind is probably Katsushika Hokusai's masterpiece, "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji." "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" is a series of 46 ukiyo-e prints by the genius artist Katsushika Hokusai, depicting various views of Mount Fuji from all over the country. By the way, why are there 46 prints in the "Thirty-six Views" series? Apparently, it was so popular that he was forced to paint 10 more than planned. This anecdote also evokes Hokusai's personality, who would never say no to a request.

At the time, Mount Fuji was such a symbol of religious faith that "Fujizuka" mounds modeled after Mount Fuji were built all over Edo. Hokusai, who is said to have originally been interested in painting landscapes, may also have had a longing or special feeling for Mount Fuji. It was in this social climate that Hokusai created "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji," a work so well-known that it is said that without "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji," the popularity of Japanese ukiyo-e might have been different.

Among his works, "Under the Great Wave off Kanagawa," commonly known as "Fuji Between the Waves," is a well-known masterpiece that is considered to be on par with Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa," depicting huge waves with Mount Fuji in the background. "Under the Great Wave off Kanagawa" is said to depict the scenery that Hokusai saw while traveling around the Miura Peninsula in Kanagawa Prefecture.

This time, we will introduce art museums and galleries on the Miura Peninsula where you can follow in Hokusai's footsteps and experience the connection between art and nature.

 
 
Kamakura and Hayama, Museum of Modern Art

With two locations in the scenic and fertile region of Kanagawa Prefecture overlooking beautiful Sagami Bay, the Museum of Modern Art, Kamakura and Hayama, Japan, is Japan's first public modern art museum. Opened in 1951 in Kamakura and 2003 in Hayama, the museum hosts four to five exhibitions annually, attracting many visitors. The picturesque scenery and collection, including works by renowned artists such as Matisse, Koga Harue, Hatakeyama Naoya, and Picasso, make this an ideal place to immerse yourself in known and unknown artworks. With the scent of Sagami Bay wafting through the air, you can experience the passage of time and the beauty of nature from the perspective of Hokusai and his contemporaries.
 
 
Yamaguchi Hoshun Memorial Museum

Yamaguchi Hoshun, one of Japan's leading painters of the 20th century, was a pioneer in the field of Japanese painting. Like Hokusai, he drew inspiration from nature, vividly depicting Japan's four seasons, flowers, and wildlife. Yamaguchi's home in Hayama, Kanagawa Prefecture, has been renovated into a tasteful museum, where visitors can get up close and personal with his collection of paintings and antiques. The museum also features an atelier designed by architect Isohachi Yoshida, and a garden that reflects Yamaguchi's close relationship with the nature and life of Kanagawa Prefecture.
 
 
Enoura Observatory

While not technically part of the Miura Peninsula, Odawara is a quiet, historic area on the west coast of Sagami Bay, and is home to a remarkable facility designed and operated by Hiroshi Sugimoto, one of Japan's most famous contemporary artists.
Enoura, which offers a panoramic view of Kanagawa Prefecture, including Sagami Bay and the Miura Peninsula, which inspired Hokusai, is a facility designed to convey the essence of Japanese culture and is a must-visit for art and architecture lovers. Built on the site of a former mandarin orange orchard, Enoura Observatory is a work by Sugimoto that can be seen as a love letter to Japanese culture and nature.
Overlooking Chiba Prefecture's Boso Peninsula and Oshima Island, Enoura Observatory aims to be a beacon of art and culture, and includes a gallery space, a Noh stage, a tea house, a garden, office space, and more. It's a beautiful place to spend a few hours by the sea and immerse yourself in centuries-old Japanese culture and traditions.