The collection of modern Japanese paintings is highly regarded, and together with the Japanese gardens, it is one of the Adachi Museum of Art’s main features. The Museum houses numerous masterpieces by great masters who established the modern Japanese art world, such as Yokoyama Taikan, Takeuchi Seiho, Uemura Shoen, Hashimoto Kansetsu, Kawabata Ryushi, Sakakibara Shiho and Ito Shinsui.
Most of the works were selected by Adachi Zenko (1899-1990), the museum’s founder. It is notable that he used his insight to collect a wide range of works, not placing a disproportionate emphasis on one particular school or trend. He began collecting Japanese paintings in earnest around 1957. His passion for collecting art works, and his obsession as a collector, did not diminish until his death in 1990.
Today, we continue attempting to improve the collection based on Zenko’s vision. The contents of the exhibitions are considered in order to give guests the chance to enjoy these works along with the gardens, which change in appearance with seasons. The museum always displays around 70 different works in the Yokoyama Taikan Special Exhibition Room, the Main Exhibition Room and the Attached Exhibition Room in the main building.