Koryo Museum of Art
- Published on : 06/11/2016
- by : Japan Experience
- Youtube
The Koryo Museum of Art in northern Kyoto has a large collection of Korean art including ceramics, paintings, screens and furniture.
Koryo Museum of Art, Kyoto 高麗美術館
The Koryo Museum of Art is an interesting museum dedicated to Korean art in the north west of Kyoto.
Koryo Museum of Art entrance 
Jar, White Porcelain, late 17th century, Koryo Museum of Art, Kyoto © Koryo Museum of Art
The Koryo Museum of Art was established by Jeong Jo-mun, a first generation Korean-Japanese, who grew up in Kyoto after first arriving as a young child in 1924.
Jeong Jo-mum made his money in pachinko and izakaya restaurants and began collecting Korean art that had been dispersed around Japan. The collection grew until his house was converted into the museum in 1988.
The 1,700 piece collection includes Korean paintings, bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, lacquerware, folding screens, furniture, folk art and Buddhist images mostly from the Goryeo and Joseon periods of Korean history.
Wooden Miniature Shrine of the Amitabha Triad, Joseon 1689 © Koryo Museum of Art
Koryo Museum of Art, Kyoto
The second floor has more exhibits and an area to relax amidst traditional Korean furniture and read from a number of titles on Korean and Japanese art. A TV screens an interview with Jeong Jo-mun.
The museum has a small garden at the front with Korean statuary.
Koryo Museum of Art, Kyoto, Japan
Though Jeong Jo-mum wanted at some point to return to the land of his birth, this dream remained unfulfilled, so it was his wish to introduce Korean art and culture to a wider audience in Japan and the rest of the world. The exquisite pieces on display make this museum a pleasant place to visit.
Garden, Koryo Museum of Art, Kyoto
Koryo Museum of Art (koryomuseum.or.jp Official site in Japanese & Korean)
15 Shichiku Kaminokishicho
Kita-ku, Kyoto
Kyoto Prefecture 603-8108
Tel: 075 491 1192
Hours: Open from 10 am to 5 pm (last entry 4.30 pm)
Closed Mondays, unless a national holiday, and over the New Year period.
Admission: Adults 500 yen
University & High School students 400 yen
Junior High School & Elementary School students free.
From Kyoto Station, take Kyoto city bus 9 to the Kamogawa Chugakko-mae stop or take a #37 bus from Sanjo Keihan Station or a take a Kyoto subway to Kitaoji and then a #37 bus.
