Tokyo Suntory Building, 11th Floor
Moto-Akasaka 1-2-3, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8430
Tel: 03-3470-1073
Suntory
Founded in 1899 by Shinjiro Torii, Suntory has established its position as one of the largest alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverage producers. Suntory's cultural activities range from art, sports and to entertainment, opening Japanšs first world-class concert hall, Suntory Hall and the Suntory Museum of Art, which sponsors the promotion and preservation of Japan's historical treasures.
The Suntory Museum of Art was founded in November 1961 by Keizo Saji, then President of the company, "to provide a place where people can personally experience and appreciate the finest of the traditional arts created by our forebears." The Museum has concentrated on collecting and showing the arts and crafts of old Japan.
Collections
The museum's collection has followed the Museum's general theme of searching for "Beauty in Everyday Life."
Tobacco tray with design of grapevines in maki-e
This rectangular tobacco tray has a handle in the form of a Shinto torii. Composed entirely of straight lines, the tray is simple and streamlined, a truly elegant piece. In the lower section is a small drawer with a gold pull, set in a chestnut-shaped knob made of paulownia wood. Pipe smoking was introduced through trade with the westerners and became quite popular in Japan. It served as the stimulus for the production of a variety of beautifully made utensils, whose designs differ depending on how the object was used.
Sightseeing Sports in Kyoto
It shows Kiyomizu Temple and the Gion Shrine separated by deep gold clouds. In Kiyomizu Temple, people are praying in the sanctuary or performing cold water ablutions by Otowa Falls. In the Gion Shrine, men and women are enjoying dancing and a group of Westerners stands nearby. The screen is believed to have been made before the 12th year of Keicho(1607). This exquisite work of art belongs to the genre of Chinese-style painting.
Blue Wine Ewer
A combination of techniques is used here, the lower half of the body being mold-blown and the upper half free-blown to create a gentle curve. The handle is made by twisting a glass rod while it is hot. The tips of the handle were fixed to the semicircular protrusions so that the handle could pivot in both directions. (Today, the handle is fixed.) The glass is in deep cobalt blue. Iridescence appears on the body and shoulder. This Nagasaki glass wine ewer is a masterpiece.
RELATED LINKS
- The Suntory Museum of Art
- Scotch Heritage Centre
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