From a Memorial Monument to a Dedicated Museum
A Memorial to Tenrai’s Birthplace
The movement to honor Tenrai began in 1968, when a memorial stone inscribed “Birthplace of Tenrai Hidai” was erected at the site of his former home in Mochizuki, now part of Saku City.
The project was promoted by local residents and calligraphy enthusiasts belonging to the Tenrai Association. The memorial helped build momentum for the creation of a museum dedicated to preserving and sharing Tenrai’s legacy.
The Opening of the Tenrai Memorial Museum
Supported by the enthusiasm of the local community, the museum officially opened on June 21, 1975. Later that same year, on September 26, it became the first specialized calligraphy museum in Japan to receive official registered museum status.
This history reflects the importance placed on preserving Tenrai’s contribution to Japanese calligraphy and making the art accessible to future generations.
The Permanent Tenrai and Shokin Exhibition
Works and Personal Belongings of Two Calligraphy Masters
The centerpiece of the museum is the Tenrai and Shokin Permanent Exhibition Room. It features calligraphy by Tenrai Hidai and his wife Shokin, together with personal items they used in their artistic lives, including brushes, inkstones, and personal seals.
Tenrai’s Innovative Calligraphy Technique
Particular attention is given to works based on Fugyo-ho, a distinctive brush technique advocated by Tenrai. His works combine a unique brush style with graceful, flowing lines, demonstrating his approach to modern Japanese calligraphy.
The museum also displays works known as Gakusho Sentei, created through Tenrai’s research and practice of copying historical calligraphy. Folding screens, hanging scrolls, and calligraphic plaques further demonstrate the variety and depth of his artistic work.
Through these works, visitors can appreciate the refined beauty of Japanese calligraphy while learning how traditional techniques were studied and developed during the modern era.
Exhibitions Featuring Tenrai’s Students and Later Calligraphers
In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum has a special exhibition gallery where works by calligraphers influenced by Tenrai are introduced on a rotating basis.
Among the artists featured are Sokyu Ueda, Otei Kaneko, Yukei Teshima, Suiho Kuwabara, and Nankoku Hidai. These artists played significant roles in the development of modern Japanese calligraphy, and their works demonstrate how Tenrai’s teachings were passed on to subsequent generations.
Exploring these exhibitions provides a broader understanding of Tenrai’s influence and the development of Japanese calligraphy beyond the work of a single artist.
Opening Hours and Closures
The museum is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with final admission at 4:30 p.m..
It is generally closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. When a closure day falls on a national holiday, the museum closes on the following weekday. It is also closed on the day following national holidays, except when that day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or national holiday. The museum is closed during the New Year period from December 29 to January 3.
Access
By Car
The museum is approximately 30 minutes by car from the Saku Interchange on the Joshin-Etsu Expressway and approximately 30 minutes from the Tohbu-Yunomaru Interchange.
By Public Transportation
The museum is not within convenient walking distance of a railway station, so traveling by taxi or rental car is recommended. Visitors using public transportation should check the latest local transportation information with a Saku tourist information center before traveling.
Experience the Art of Japanese Calligraphy
Saku City Tenrai Memorial Museum is a rare cultural facility devoted specifically to Japanese calligraphy. Through the works of Tenrai Hidai, Shokin Hidai, and the many artists influenced by them, visitors can explore both the artistic beauty of calligraphy and its historical development in modern Japan.
The quiet atmosphere of the museum provides an ideal setting for taking time to appreciate the movement of the brush, the balance of each character, and the expressive qualities of ink. A visit offers a deeper introduction to one of Japan’s most distinctive traditional art forms and makes a rewarding cultural stop when exploring Saku.