MOA Museum of Art — Rinpa Design: Sotatsu, Korin, and Hoitsu

The MOA Museum of Art is located in Atami, just 40 minutes from Tokyo by Shinkansen. It is renowned for its outstanding collection of Rinpa artworks and traditional Japanese crafts.

Rinpa is a Japanese art school passed down through generations based on shared aesthetic values rather than direct lineage. It began in the early Edo period with Honami Koetsu and Tawaraya Sotatsu, later developed by Ogata Korin and Ogata Kenzan, and was revived in the late Edo period by Sakai Hoitsu and Suzuki Kiitsu. Rinpa designs span across paintings, lacquerware, ceramics, and textiles, known for their innovative and colourful motifs.

This special exhibition presents a selection of Rinpa masterpieces in both painting and craft, highlighting the timeless appeal of Rinpa aesthetics that continue to inspire modern Japanese life. In the museum garden, landscape artist Paul Smither has designed a natural setting inspired by Korin’s “Autumn Grasses” folding screen, created without pesticides or chemical fertilisers. After viewing the painting, a stroll through the garden is highly recommended.