Tokiwayama Bunko

Tokiwayama Bunko (常盤山文庫) is a Japanese foundation with an important collection of Japanese and Chinese art, in particular ceramics, calligraphic works, and paintings. Established by Tsûsai Sugawara in 1954, this includes two National Treasures, twenty-three Important Cultural Properties (six paintings, sixteen calligraphic works/old documents/classical texts, one Muromachi-period red lacquered bowl), and eighteen Important Art Objects.[1][2][3] The foundation possesses one of the largest collections of bokuseki calligraphy, ceramics, and religious arts in Japan.[4]

Public Interest Incorporated Foundation
Tokiwayama Bunko
公益財団法人 常盤山文庫
Formation1954 (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation since 2012)
FounderTsûsai Sugawara
Location
Websitetokiwayama.org

Tsûsai Sugawara (1894–1981), a popular cultural figure in Japan, started collecting in 1943 and in 1954 established the Tokiwayama Bunko ("library") Foundation, named for the area of Kamakura where he had his private residence. Initially a physical gallery was opened to the public, consisting of multiple wooden buildings on Sugawara's estate,[5] but amendments to the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties necessitated the closure of the vulnerable structures after Sugawara died. The foundation, which now is based in Tokyo, began operating solely by exhibiting and loaning its works at and to other institutions in Japan and overseas, in particular the Kamakura Museum of National Treasures and Tokyo National Museum, as well as making materials available for academic purposes. In recent years there has been a particular emphasis on research and publications relating to Chinese ceramics.[1][2]

Sugawara's son Hisao (1923-2008, also known as Toshio), who served as director of the Nezu Museum, led the foundation for many years.[6] Hisao's nephew Ken, a grandson of Tsûsai, is its current director.[1]

According to Hisao Sugawara, his father's collection "grew rather naturally and casually, following [his] personal desire and taste." Therefore, he stated, the objects allow observers to learn not only about the art but also "much about the collector himself."[5]

See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tokiwayama Bunko.

References
  1. 常盤山文庫について [About Tokiwayama Bunko] (in Japanese). Tokiwayama Bunko Foundation. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  2. 神奈川県文化財目録 [Catalogue of the Cultural Properties of Kanagawa Prefecture]. Kanagawa Prefecture. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  3. コレクション [Collection] (in Japanese). Tokiwayama Bunko Foundation. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  4. "Tsurugaoka Intellectual Salon". Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. The Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  5. Sugahara (Sugawara), Hisao (1967). Japanese Ink Painting and Calligraphy, From The Collection Of The Tokiwayama Bunko. The Brooklyn Museum. pp. iii.
  6. "Sugawara Family". Marriage of State (in Japanese). keibatsugaku.com. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
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