Architect borrows from artist to design Hiroshige museum


Kuma uses latticework to reproduce the thin lines of rain that characterize some of Ando Hiroshige's work

From Elsa Klensch
CNN Style Correspondent

TOKYO, Japan (CNN) -- Although Japanese artist Ando Hiroshige is best known for his colorful wood-block prints, his drawings of ink on paper are quite rare, so a museum was built to house them.

When architect Kengo Kuma designed the museum in Batomachi, in the Nasugun area of Tochigi Prefecture, about three hours from Tokyo, he took inspiration from Hiroshige's work, particularly a famous piece called "Rain on Travelers."

"It's very heavy connection between the drawing and my work," Kuma said, noting that Hiroshige, who was born in 1797, used a thin line to visualize the rain.

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"I try to make the building by using many, many thin lines. The wall is made of thin lines and the roof is also made of thin lines, and every surface is covered by thin lines."

Kuma used latticework to reproduce Hiroshige's rain. He used local material for construction, including cedar wood for the roof, aluminum, glass and rice paper.

Influenced by nature

The building is designed in a long rectangular shape, which Kuma says was chosen to give visitors a better view of the mountains and the outdoors.


The rectangular museum roof is constructed of cedar

Because much of Hiroshige's work depicts nature, Kuma believes his designs must be influenced by nature. The direction of the garden was crucial to him, and he insisted on a north-facing garden with its views of the mountains.

"It's like a Zen garden," he said.

Inside, the museum is divided into two galleries, one for Hiroshige's art and another for the work of local artists.

Kuma says the museum houses the best collection of Hiroshige's drawings in the world. Eighty percent are in storage, and because they're so delicate, they're exhibited for only a short period each year.

The architect said he relished his involvement in the project.

"The philosophy of the artist influenced me very much, and I like this kind of collaboration with the artist," he said.