About
In a quiet corner of Kamezawa, Sumida Ward, in Tokyo’s old downtown, the Sumida Hokusai Museum stands serenely. This area is where the ukiyo-e artist of the Edo period, Katsushika Hokusai, was born and spent most of his 90-year life. The museum building was designed by architect Kazuyo Sejima, and its exterior walls are covered with aluminum panels that reflect the surrounding scenery, making its modern design striking.
Upon entering the museum, visitors find the permanent exhibition room “AURORA,” which introduces Hokusai’s life and works. Here, you can experience Hokusai’s diverse world through full-scale, high-definition replicas of his masterpieces and touch-panel monitors. Notably, the seven-meter-long picture scroll “Sumidagawa Ryogan Keshiki Zukan,” rediscovered after about 100 years, is a masterpiece Hokusai painted at the age of 46, depicting in detail the scenery along both banks of the Sumida River and the amusements in Shin-Yoshiwara.
There is also a model recreating Hokusai’s atelier on display, offering a glimpse into his creative environment. This museum allows visitors to feel the culture and customs of the Edo period and the spirit of the era in which Hokusai lived through his works.
The Sumida Hokusai Museum is a valuable space rooted in Sumida Ward, Hokusai’s hometown, where you can deeply learn about his art and its background. Visitors will encounter Hokusai’s worldview and rediscover the universal appeal of his works.