The Museum’s History and Renovation
From Tanaka Hall to a Modern Art Museum
The museum’s origins date back to 1969, when Tanaka Hall opened to commemorate Denchū Hirakushi and his achievements. In 1983, a new museum building was constructed to mark the 30th anniversary of Ibara’s establishment as a city. Since then, the institution has played an important role in preserving and displaying the work of Hirakushi, who had deep connections with the area.
When the museum reopened on April 18, 2023, it was renamed the Hirakushi Denchū Art Museum to make the sculptor’s name and legacy more widely known. The renovated building is a three-story reinforced-concrete structure with approximately 3,600 square meters of total floor space. Its floor area is about 1.6 times that of the previous facility, while its collection storage capacity has increased to 2.6 times its former size. New facilities, including a community gallery, have also been added.
Highlights of the Renovated Museum
The museum brings together a selection of outstanding works that trace Hirakushi’s life and artistic development over his 107 years. Visitors can also discover works by artists associated with the Japan Art Institute, with which Hirakushi had close ties, as well as contemporary artists who have received the Hirakushi Denchū Prize.
Special features include a life-size panel of his celebrated sculpture Mirror Lion and an augmented-reality (AR) experience that allows visitors to view the work from 360 degrees using a smartphone.
On the third floor, Hirakushi’s former studio in Ueno Sakuragi, Tokyo, has been recreated, offering a glimpse into the environment where he produced many of his masterpieces. In front of the museum lies Tanaka-en, a park featuring his sculptures. The large glass wall at the entrance also provides views of the surrounding scenery as it changes with the seasons.
The Life and Art of Denchū Hirakushi
His Life and Career
Denchū Hirakushi (February 23, 1872–December 30, 1979) was born in Nishiebara Village, Hōchū District, Okayama Prefecture, now part of Nishiebara-chō in Ibara City, and grew up in Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture. Born into the Tanaka family, he was later adopted by the Hirakushi family but continued to use Tanaka as his professional name.
Hirakushi became one of Japan’s leading sculptors, making a major contribution to modern Japanese sculpture alongside artists such as Kōun Takamura, Rokuzan Ogiwara, and Fumio Asakura. He was renowned for his realistic style and created numerous wooden sculptures, including his best-known work, Mirror Lion. He continued working into old age and spent his later years in Kodaira, Tokyo, where he lived to the age of 107. His works are held by the Hirakushi Denchū Art Museum in Ibara and the Hirakushi Denchū Sculpture Museum in Kodaira.
Representative Works
Among Hirakushi’s notable works are Mirror Lion, Mr. Uyū, and The Angler of Itsuura. Mirror Lion is a large, polychrome wooden sculpture displayed in the lobby of the National Theatre in Tokyo. Hirakushi began working on it in 1936 and spent 20 years bringing it to completion. To portray the subject faithfully, he repeatedly visited the Kabukiza Theatre to observe Kikugorō Onoe VI, the kabuki actor who served as his model.
The Angler of Itsuura is a bronze statue inspired by Tenshin Okakura fishing along the Itsuura Coast in Kitaibaraki, Ibaraki Prefecture. A statue with the same name also stands at the south entrance of Fukuyama Station. These works demonstrate Hirakushi’s exceptional craftsmanship, keen powers of observation, and important place in the history of Japanese sculpture.
Hirakushi’s Words and Personal Stories
His Philosophy on Life and Work
Hirakushi left behind several memorable sayings that reflect his determination and lifelong enthusiasm for creating art. One of his best-known expressions reads: “Sixty or seventy is still a mere child; a man’s prime begins at one hundred. Mine is just beginning.” He frequently wrote these words in calligraphy, expressing his vitality and positive outlook even in advanced age.
Another famous saying is, “If I don’t do it now, when will it get done? If I don’t do it, who will?” These expressions, known collectively as the “Words of Tanaka,” continue to inspire people today.
A Lifetime Supply of Wood
Hirakushi accumulated a large stock of timber for his sculptures. Whenever he had sufficient money, he purchased wood so that he could begin a new work whenever inspiration struck. As a result, he reportedly possessed enough material to continue sculpting for more than 30 years. This story illustrates his remarkable dedication and unwavering desire to create.
What to See at the Museum
Works, Tools, and a Recreated Studio
In addition to Hirakushi’s sculptures, the museum displays tools he used in his work and recreates the atmosphere of his former studio. His studio in Ueno Sakuragi, Tokyo, was the center of his creative life, and the reconstruction offers visitors an opportunity to imagine the setting in which many of his works took shape.
The AR presentation of Mirror Lion provides another way to appreciate the sculpture, allowing visitors to explore it from different angles with a smartphone.
Tanaka-en and the Changing Seasons
Tanaka-en, the park in front of the museum, features sculptures by Hirakushi and offers a peaceful place to enjoy art in an outdoor setting. Through the museum’s expansive glass entrance wall, visitors can also appreciate the changing colors and atmosphere of the seasons.
The Hirakushi Denchū Art Museum offers a valuable opportunity to explore the life, artistic achievements, and creative spirit of one of Japan’s most distinguished sculptors. A visit combines an encounter with modern Japanese sculpture with a glimpse into the artist’s remarkable journey and enduring legacy.