Matsumoto , a smallish city in Nagano Prefecture had been on my must visit wish list for years and it did not disappoint. One of my reasons I was keen to visit was that was the birthplace of Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama, now 93 years old. In order to fulfil this wish our first stop was the Matsumoto City Museum of Art to see the Yayoi Kusama collection, titled “The Place for my Soul”.
Yoyoi Kusama was born in Matsumoto in 1929 into a family of merchants who owned a plant nursery and seed farm. Kusama began drawing pictures of pumpkins in primary school and created artwork she saw from the hallucinations she experienced from age 10, works that would later define her creative art.
Photography was not allowed in most of the exhibition space , which included several examples of her early work , from her time in Tokyo but also from the 16 years she lived in the U.S. , living mostly in New York. Kusama returned to Tokyo in 1973 and continued her prolific output of work including paintings, sculptures,performance art, videos and installations. This wonderful pumpkin space with the black dots fortunately could be photographed.
These colourful flowers greeted you at the museum entrance. I am so pleased we visited the gallery and now know so much more about her early life and work.
The other highlight was visiting the Matsumoto-jo castle , dating back to the late 16th. century. It is five tiered with a six story main tower and is the oldest surviving castle tower in Japan.
This gent in costume greeted us at the entrance to the castle and its grounds.
We were keen to have a peek inside , so after leaving our shoes at the entrance we joined the throng and started climbing the first of many steep sets of wooden stairs. The dark wooden interior gives you an authentic experience. Interesting features of the castle include the steep wooden stairs , openings to drop stones on invaders, openings for archers as well as an observation deck at the top floor with views over the city ( or so John tells me as I baulked at the last extremely steep and slippery stairs in my stockinged feet). Throughout the castle were displays of various weaponry.
Sitting by the moat surrounding the castle , with its red bridge in the background. Wearing Rundholz pants worn over thick tights for warmth , a black knit and Moyuru jacket.
After exploring the castle and grounds we stopped at a delightful little cafe for a late brunch then continued onto Nakamachi Street (Frog Street) , a collection of shops and a few cafes by the river .
Always a fan of interesting lamp posts I just had to include these .
I love the contrast between old and new, that quirky art and the guard in his traditional costume. A land of surprises.
You look fabulous, the print on your trousers is gorgeous. xxx
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Thanks Vix , I think it was that contrast that made me really enjoy Matsumoto.
What an amazing trip you’ve had!
The Yoyoi Kusama exhibition looks fantastic. I remember she joined forces with Louis Vuitton last year and admiring the LV shop window in Antwerp with its suspended mirror balls.
Matsumoto-jo castle looks fantastic too, but I’m not blaming you for baulking at that final set of stairs! xxx
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Thank you so much Ann , it was a wohibit must have been.nderful and interesting trip. I can just imagine how impressive that LV and Kusama ex
Our local art museum had an exhibition by Kusama in 2019, and we took our grands with us. They had many different pieces, but then there was a small room you could enter. The entrance was timed so that everyone had a chance to experience it. It was a mirrored room with several of her pumpkins, but you couldn’t tell if you were looking at the real thing or the reflection. It was really amazing. Even my grandson thought it was pretty cool.
I can’t imagine climbing wooden stairs in my stocking feet! And, I don’t blame you for passing on the last bit. Thank you for sharing all of these incredible photos, Jill!
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Kusama’s work is so interesting . I was so pleased to know more about her and her early life. Glad you and your grandson enjoyed your experience. I’m not so good with heights sp those steep stairs were just too much.
I was in KOBE, JAPAN in 1981 for three days.FASCINATING from what I recall.I had to buy a BIG DUFFEL bag because of all the things I purchased on my trip.I still have that black BAG!
SO, happy you had another exciting trip!I’m living through you NOW!
XXX
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Thank you Elizabeth , it was a wonderful trip . Japan must have been so very interesting back then . I can imagine your purchases.
Thank you Jill, what an interesting beautiful visit you had (there was a Pumpkin exhibition at Dubai airport
when we were in transit there last May, fabulous).
Happy New Year,
Love,
Elizabeth.
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It was my pleasure Elizabeth , I did enjoy sharing the joys of Matsumoto. I was so glad to have seen Kusama’s exhibition in her home town . There is a big exhibition in Melbourne until April I may have to fly over.