Sezon Bijutsukan

The Sezon Bijutsukan was an art museum housed within a department store building that displayed modern and contemporary works from the 20th century across multiple exhibition halls. The collection contained approximately 800 artworks by international artists and offered both permanent exhibitions and rotating displays.

The museum emerged in 1975 from art exhibitions at the Seibu Department Store Ikebukuro and played a key role in introducing international modern art to Japanese visitors. It closed in 1999, marking the end of an important era for art promotion in the region.

The collection featured artworks by renowned international artists such as Paul Klee, Man Ray, and Wassily Kandinsky that were relatively unfamiliar to Japanese audiences at the time. These pieces helped introduce modern Western art movements to the local public.

The museum was housed within a department store, which made it possible to combine a visit with shopping, though it is no longer accessible today. Those interested in learning about the history of art promotion in Japan can find information about the museum through local archives or cultural institutions.

The museum organized Japan's first Marcel Duchamp exhibition in 1983 and acquired his work 'Boîte-en-Valise' for the collection. This single object became a turning point for how conceptual art was understood in Japan.

Location: Ikebukuro

Inception: September 1975

Official opening: September 1975

GPS coordinates: 35.72778,139.71167

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:41