The Formation of the Collection and Exhibition History of the National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo

Abstract

The National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo (NMWA), was founded on the Matsukata Collection, assembled by Kōjiro Matsukata beginning in 1916 during his visits to Europe. Around 400 works that had remained in Paris were seized by the French government during World War II and later returned to Japan. The museum, designed by Le Corbusier, opened in 1959 to house this collection and has since expanded its holdings. 
NMWA has organized over 300 exhibitions, playing a major role in popularizing Western art in Japan and advancing museum practice nationwide. A distinctive feature of its activities is the co-organization of exhibitions with newspaper and media companies, an important source of revenue. The museum now seeks to strengthen its programs by building on its collection, financial resources, and staff, while emphasizing permanent displays. Key challenges include enhancing its international presence and diversifying revenue sources to ensure sustainability.