Nomura Art Museum — Attraction in Kyoto

SOFT and NOBLE, 優美

It was surprising that Fumihide and Harukata Nomura, at the end 70s, the museum in the earth to build, in order to avoid any obstacle on beauty of surrounding Higashiyama East Mountain, the Nanzenji 南禅寺　Area. It is remarkable, because the new building of the outstanding Rietberg Museum has been built a decades later under ground on the Rietberg, Zürich. The Underground space add Stillness to the observer.

Instead of dominant Tea ceremony schools in Kyoto under Sen Style, Senke Style 千家　introduced by Tanaka 田中、Nomura preferred to Yabunouchi 藪の内　which was founded by the famous Ceramic Artist Oribe 織部。

Unlike very strict formality of Sen 千,　I found Yabu no chi school, very smooth, fluent like water flowes. Mr.Tokushichi Nomura, the grand father of those Nomura brothers and sister, he, as founder of Nomura Imperium, not only money but his taste was of the finest art is the highest level, So that he has built Villa Hekiunso 碧雲荘, with several Tea Cottages including Yuushiki 又織、 and even to taste Ous お薄　in the House boat 屋形船　on the Pond.

Tokushichi Nomura has also built his own Noh 能　Theatre in his Hekiunso Villa, as he performed himself Benkei 弁慶 in the Kanjinchou. 勧進帳。

One never can enough underline, how large their contribution to defend Japanse Culture, when the Westerization after the great war, was overwhelming.

appendix: Every year, at the end of January,, I have visited Salzburg, because of Mozart Festival. I was very surprised to watch the Ceremony at Jacob Church,. The Priest proceed with smelling of wood. 脂　やに　of Desert in Jemen. Then the Priest bring Silver Wine Cup in snow white cloth. He wipes the Wine cup with white cloth so politely. In this moment I had to remember of Fukusa Sabaki 袱紗　　捌き in the Tea Ceremony. Nabu no Uschi 藪の内　Tea Manner do not force to hard on Formality but more fluent natural way of Tea Tasting.

Young man born in the family of Fish dealer, had he not notice the Ceremony of Portuguese in the Harbour of Settsu 摂津　? And Title Sen 千 one Thousand, from the name of his grand father Tanaka Sen Ami 田中　千阿弥　?

Michihiko Inoue , born in Kyoto 1933 live in Germany. ( 89 years old )

May I add a bit more ? May be late Mr.Fumihide ( Nomura ) want that I add a bit more knowledge. I would like to add 23 more Fotos, of Villa Hekiunso 碧雲荘　as it is the foundation before the Museum. Foto with a sitting woman is in the House boat 屋形舟　on the Pond. Here will be served with Tea. After Tea, she would be served with a lunch box on the red cloth seated bench. The Lunch box is being served from the restaurant Hyotei 瓢亭　with specially light but very selected lunch after Tea Ceremony called Kaiseki 懐石料理。

Another thing I should add is the not well known small gate called Furomon 不老門　the gate where one does not get old. Mr. Fumihide ( Nomura ) and I had both birthday in April and only difference of 3 days. So We have never forgot our birthday over 50 years of friendship. One day, he suggested to follow him to he west but far from the Main Gate. It was rather very smallest gate of Hekiunso villa. As he opened the small wooden door, then I saw a marvellous tunnel of Sherry blossoms . I went through this Tunnel of Cherry blossoms, which I never would forget all my life.

Also what I never forget is the Tea on the House Boat which late grand mother ordered to Tea Mistress RENJi-san れんじ　。 After the Tea, I openned the small sliding paper windows. I though clean water from Shirakawa 白川　white from Higashiyama mountain. Eastern Mountains. There white clouds are moving on on the clear blue water.

Visiting Alhambra Palace in Granada, I was convinced, that we do have Villas in Kyoto, which are not minor.

If you consider Katsura imperial Palace is the best as Bruno Taut " Wieder Entdeckung von japanischen Schönheit " 日本美の　再発見consider, then I would say, consider seriously, as Hekiunso has more Tea Cottages, and one the House Boat Yakata Bune 屋形舟　for Tea, and Noh Theatre....

A small museum, I came for the Tea implements, and they have some beauties. I was surprised to see beautiful Noh costumes and calligraphy as well. I paid for the Tea experience. You are served at a seated bench. So if seiza is uncomfortable for you, do not worry. The staff were friendly and from the Enshu school. I speak limited Japanese but am familiar Chadou, so we communicated a little and they even brought out a book with pictures of their collection. When I showed interest in an oribe clog shaped piece they brought it out to show me. I was also served a tasty wagashi....

Exhibit collections of Mr. Nomura, founder of NOMURA groups. He collected items related to Tea ceremony and Noh play. Small but well organized. Please check what seasonal exhibition is...