The Museum of Art, Kōchi

The Museum of Art, Kōchi (高知県立美術館, Kōchi Kenritsu Bijutsukan) is a prefectural art museum located in Kōchi City, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan. Established in 199 founded in 1993, it operates as one of Japan's many prefecture-supported cultural institutions. The museum maintains a diverse collection that bridges regional artistic production and internationally recognized names, while also serving as a multipurpose cultural venue through its incorporation of performance facilities.

The museum opened in 1993 as a prefectural initiative, reflecting the widespread Japanese model of regional government support for cultural institutions. In February 2025, the museum attracted significant attention when it admitted that an oil painting attributed to Heinrich Campendonk was a forgery by Wolfgang Beltracchi. The work had been purchased for 18 million yen from a dealer in Nagoya. Beltracchi, when contacted by the Asahi Shimbun, confirmed his authorship of the painting. The incident prompted pigment analysis that exposed the work's inauthenticity.

The permanent collection encompasses works by local artists from Kōchi Prefecture and the broader region, alongside pieces by the Russian-French modernist Marc Chagall. A major strength of the holdings lies in photography, specifically a very large collection of photographs and personal items belonging to Yasuhiro Ishimoto, the influential Japanese-American photographer known for his architectural and documentary work. The museum's collecting philosophy thus balances regional identity with international modernism and significant photographic heritage.

The Ishimoto Yasuhiro archive constitutes a signature holding, preserving both his photographic output and personal effects. The Chagall works represent another highlight within the modern art holdings. The Campendonk painting, prior to its 2025 deattribution, had been held as part of the collection, illustrating the challenges of authentication that institutions worldwide confront.

The museum incorporates a dedicated stage for Noh and other performances, integrating visual and performing arts within a single facility. This architectural feature distinguishes it from conventional exhibition-only museums and reflects a broader Japanese institutional tradition of multipurpose cultural spaces.

The Museum of Art, Kōchi is located in Kōchi City, the capital of Kōchi Prefecture on the island of Shikoku. As a prefectural museum (kenritsu bijutsukan), it operates under prefectural government ownership and support. Information for visitors is available through its official website at moak.jp, which provides access details in both Japanese and English.