Art Autumn: Enjoy an Artistic Moment at Narita Airport! Japanese Art Masterpieces Mini Gallery

  • Chiba
  • Sightseeing
Ten Portraits of Women and Men, Woman Blowing Poppins, By Utamaro Kitagawa

Highlights of Japanese art! Where exactly is this place?

A poppin-blowing woman by Utamaro Kitagawa and Otani Oniji Edobei III by Sharaku Toshusai.
And beside her is the Tale of Genji by Yonobu Kano (Harukawa-in). Where in the world is this place lined with ukiyo-e and art paintings representing Japan? Actually, it is located on the first basement floor of Narita International Airport Terminal 1. It is a mini-gallery of masterpieces of Japanese art that has been set up on the walls and ceiling of Narita Airport using images of representative masterpieces of Japanese art from the Tokyo National Museum collection. Other works of art with high historical value, such as "Fugaku Sanjurokkei (Thirty-six views of Mt. Fuji)," a masterpiece by Katsushika Hokusai, and the national treasure "Rakuchu Rakugai-zu Ipofu Funaki-hon," are dynamically displayed using special films. Here, visitors can see art works up close, which normally can only be appreciated from afar.
Otani Oniji Edobei III, By Toshusai Sharaku
The Tale of Genji, By Kano (Harukawa-in) Yonobu

What is the secret to the beauty of the masterpieces on the walls?

This gallery is a cooperative project of 3M Japan, Tokyo National Museum, and Narita International Airport Co. Each masterpiece is coated with 3M "Scotchcal Paint Film". This special film can be easily applied to substrates with non-smooth surfaces, which are difficult to apply conventional films to. Many people, both domestic and international, stop to admire the power of Sharaku and often take pictures of it.
Autumn grass, By Tawaraya Sosetsu / By Tawaraya Sosetsu, Important Cultural Property
Located on the first floor near the escalators leading up to the International South Arrivals Level, this eye-catching screen depicts a painting of autumn grasses by Tawaraya Sosetsu. The beautiful autumn flowers are so overwhelming that even the bustle of airport traffic is deafening. The Japanese Art Masterpieces Miniature Gallery also features other representative Japanese ukiyo-e prints and masterpieces of art. If you are visiting Narita Airport, please stop by this mini gallery and enjoy the beautiful and powerful masterpieces.
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