The Idemitsu Museum of Arts was initiated in the autumn of 1966 for the purpose of presenting artworks collected
and cherished over some 70 years by Sazo Idemitsu (1885-1981), the founder of the Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.. The museum is
located on the 9th floor of the Imperial Theater Building in Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. It was recognized as a foundation
and approved by the Ministry of Education in 1972.
At the time of initiation, Sazo Idemitsu said “A museum is an art piece created by the people, therefore, the presence
of Japanese originality and beauty is essential. Its most important duty is to continue its collection of art masterpieces,
not only for the education of the present but for the preservation of the artworks for the coming generations.”
Bearing these founder's words in mind, we have been actively organizing exhibitions in concordance with our art study and
preservation programs.
In the year 2000, a branch museum was opened in Mojikō Retro Town in Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka, where the founder
was closely associated with as he had established his company there.
The Idemitsu Collection includes representative works of Eastern Asian antiques, gathered over some 70 years by Sazo Idemitsu (1885-1981), founder of the Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., and the Museum. This extensive collection includes Japanese painting (yamato-e, rimpa, bunjin-ga, ukiyo-e, and works by Sengai and modern painter Kosugi Hōan, etc.) and calligraphy, East Asian ceramics (Chinese, Japanese, and Korean wares, and works of modern potter, Itaya Hazan, etc.). The collection also has works of Western painters (Georges Rouault and Sam Francis). The total works number some fifteen thousand items, including two National Treasures and fifty-four Important Cultural Properties.
