Toguri Museum of Art

The Toguri Museum of Art is a specialized ceramics museum located in Shōtō, Shibuya, Tokyo, approximately fifteen minutes on foot from Shibuya Station. Founded in November 1987 by the businessperson Toru Toguri, it houses one of the world's finest collections of Japanese and East Asian porcelain, with approximately 7,000 works in its holdings. The museum is one of the few institutions in Japan dedicated exclusively to ceramics, and it occupies a distinctive position among Tokyo's cultural institutions for its singular focus on the preservation and public display of porcelain traditions.

The museum was established in November 1987 by Toru Toguri (1926-2007), who began collecting Japanese antiques in the 1960s. According to his own account, Toguri was motivated by witnessing what he described as an irresistible inflow of Western, primarily American, culture into postwar Japan, and he feared that indigenous cultural achievements would be forgotten by future generations. He sought to preserve antique wares that represented the wisdom of Japanese ancestors, with a particular concentration on old porcelain. By 1987, his collection had grown substantial enough to warrant a public museum. The institution was realized as a means to make his holdings permanently accessible for education and aesthetic appreciation, ensuring that the collection would serve as a resource for future generations rather than remaining in private hands.

The collection focuses primarily on Oriental porcelain, specifically Japanese, Chinese, and Korean porcelains. The Japanese component consists of Hizen porcelain, produced in the Hizen region corresponding to present-day Saga and Nagasaki Prefectures. The museum's holdings span the development of Japanese porcelain from its origins in the early 17th century through the Edo period (1603-1868). The collection is distinguished by its depth in several technical and stylistic categories: Shoki Imari (early Imari ware of the early 17th century), Ko-Kutani style (mid-17th century), Kakiemon style (second half of the 17th century), Old Imari (late 17th century), and Nabeshima ware. The museum does not lend or borrow works, meaning all pieces displayed are drawn exclusively from its own holdings. Approximately 100 pieces are on display at any given time, with about 25 works in a permanent second-floor exhibit providing an overview of Edo-period Japanese porcelain, while the remainder of the space is devoted to special exhibitions that change every three months.

The museum's signature strengths lie in its comprehensive representation of Imari ware and related Hizen porcelain traditions. Shoki Imari pieces from the early 17th century are represented by works such as a dish with landscape and pavilion design in underglaze blue, attributed to the Hyakken kiln, which exemplifies the uneven cobalt blue tones, slightly warped forms, and occasional fingerprints that characterize early porcelain production. The Ko-Kutani style is represented by mid-17th-century pieces featuring bold overglaze enamels in red, green, yellow, and other colors, with designs that often cover entire surfaces. Kakiemon-style works from the second half of the 17th century demonstrate the asymmetrical, sparsely applied patterns developed for export markets. The collection also includes significant Nabeshima ware, the official porcelain of the Saga Domain produced exclusively for gift-giving to the Tokugawa shogunate and other dignitaries, characterized by highly refined designs of flowers, plants, and geometric patterns with strict regulation of patterns, shapes, and sizes. Kinrande-style Imari ware, featuring red-and-gold overglaze decoration, represents another major category. The museum has published several scholarly volumes on its collection, including Oriental Blue and White (1988), Old Imari Ware (1991), Early Imari Ware (1997), and Toguri Museum, Best of Collection: Chinese Porcelain (2022).

The museum is situated in the Shōtō district of Shibuya, an upscale residential neighborhood characterized by embassies and quiet streets that contrast with the bustle of nearby Shibuya Station. The building is described as clad in earthy-colored tiles and stands in a setting that includes a small traditional garden. The location behind the Tokyu department store at 1-11-3 Shōtō places it within walking distance of major transportation while maintaining a secluded atmosphere. The interior includes second-floor exhibition spaces and downstairs areas dedicated to displays on ceramic production processes.

The Toguri Museum of Art is located at 1-11-3 Shōtō, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, approximately fifteen minutes on foot from JR Shibuya Station. The museum is closed on Mondays. Admission fees vary by exhibition. Payment methods include cash, Visa, JCB, MasterCard, American Express, and UnionPay. Visitors are advised to check the official website for updated information on opening hours, closings, and prices. The museum maintains a website in both Japanese and English.