Ōtsuka Museum of Art, Art museum in Naruto Park, Japan
Ōtsuka Museum of Art is an art museum in Naruto Park, Naruto-chō Tosadomariura, built into a hillside. Its long, low concrete building has a broad overhanging roof supported by thick white cylindrical columns, with pale square tiles behind and the inscription "大塚国際美術館" on a beige band. Inside, a barrel-vaulted gallery hall displays full-size ceramic reproductions of paintings, including the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
The museum opened on March 21, 1998, as the first Japanese gallery based exclusively on ceramic image reproduction. Sakakura Associates' design uses the natural topography of the hill for a multi-story underground building.
The displayed artworks come from museums and churches worldwide and were reproduced at original size using special ceramic printing techniques. Visitors can study paintings without experiencing the restrictions that apply in the original collections.
From JR Naruto Station, you can reach the building in about 15 minutes by local bus. The site lies near the coast and offers enough space for a visit lasting several hours with many seating areas along the route.
The ceramic panels resist moisture, mold and fading over centuries, enabling permanent viewing. Some reconstructions show works in colors and details that have long faded on the originals.
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