Chihiro Art Museum Tokyo, Picture book museum in Shimo-Shakujii, Japan
Chihiro Art Museum Tokyo is a specialized museum in Shimo-Shakujii focused on the art of picture books. The galleries display hand-painted illustrations and artistic works from Japan and around the world.
The museum was founded in 1977 as the first institution worldwide dedicated entirely to picture book illustration art. Its creation followed the establishment of the Chihiro Iwasaki Memorial Foundation and marked a turning point for this art form.
The museum carries the name of Japanese artist Chihiro Iwasaki, whose gentle watercolors fill the walls. Visitors experience how she brought emotion and storytelling to children's picture books across generations.
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday and welcomes visitors to explore the galleries at their own pace. It helps to allow time for careful viewing of the works, as the fine details in the illustrations reward close attention.
The museum building stands on the land where artist Chihiro Iwasaki once lived and created her celebrated works. This physical connection transforms the visit into an encounter with the actual place where her artistic vision took shape.
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