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

When you think of Ukiyo-e, the first thing that 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 woodblock prints depicting various views of Mount Fuji from different locations across Japan, drawn by the genius artist Katsushika Hokusai. Incidentally, the reason there are 46 prints instead of "Thirty-Six Views" is that it became so popular that he had to paint 10 more than originally planned. This anecdote gives us a glimpse into Hokusai's character, as he couldn't refuse a request.

At that time, Mount Fuji was such a symbol of people's faith that "Fujizuka," miniature replicas of Mount Fuji, were built all over Edo. Hokusai, who is said to have originally been interested in painting landscapes, may have also had a longing for and special feelings towards Mount Fuji. It was in this social climate that Hokusai created "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji," a work so famous that it is said that the level of recognition of Japanese ukiyo-e might have been different without it.

Among them, "The Great Wave off Kanagawa," also known as "Mount Fuji in the Waves," which depicts a massive wave with Mount Fuji in the background, is a well-known and famous work, considered a masterpiece on par with Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa." It is said that "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" depicts scenes that Hokusai saw while traveling around the Miura Peninsula in Kanagawa Prefecture.

This time, we'll introduce museums and galleries on the Miura Peninsula where you can trace Hokusai's footsteps and feel the connection between art and nature.

 
 
Kamakura and Hayama, Museums of Modern Art

Located in a scenic and prosperous region overlooking the beautiful Sagami Bay in Kanagawa Prefecture, the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Modern Art has two locations. Recorded as Japan's first public museum of modern art, both the Kamakura branch, established in 1951, and the Hayama branch, established in 2003, host four to five exhibitions annually, attracting many visitors. With its picturesque scenery and collection including works by renowned artists such as Matisse, Harue Koga, Naoya Hatakeyama, and Picasso, it is an ideal place to immerse oneself in both known and unknown works of art. In this place where you can feel the scent of Sagami Bay, you can stand in the same perspective as Hokusai and his contemporaries, and feel the passage of time and the beauty of nature.
 
 
Yamaguchi Hoshun Memorial Museum

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

While not strictly part of the Miura Peninsula, Odawara is a quiet and historic area located on the western shore of Sagami Bay. It also boasts a noteworthy facility designed and operated by Hiroshi Sugimoto, one of Japan's most renowned contemporary artists.
Enoura, which offers a panoramic view of Kanagawa Prefecture's scenery, including Sagami Bay and the Miura Peninsula, which impressed Hokusai, is a facility designed to convey the essence of Japanese culture, and is a place that art and architecture lovers should definitely visit. The "Enoura Observatory," built on the site of a former mandarin orange grove, is a work that can be called a love letter from Mr. Sugimoto to Japanese culture and nature.
Located in Chiba Prefecture, the Enoura Observatory offers panoramic views of the Boso Peninsula and Oshima Island. Aiming to be a beacon of art and culture, it comprises gallery spaces, a Noh stage, a tea room, a garden, and office spaces. It is a beautiful place where you can spend a few hours by the sea and immerse yourself in centuries of Japanese culture and tradition.