Asahikawa Museum of Sculpture

Asahikawa Kaikōsha

In 1896, the Tondenhei, the army engaged in farming and security in Hokkaidō prefecture, was formed, and the Imperial Japanese Army 7th Division was settled in Sapporo. The division transferred its operational area to Asahikawa between 1900 and 1902, and the Asahikawa Kaikōsha, the building for the army officer's clubhouse, which later serves as the museum, was completed in 1902. It was constructed by the Okuragumi, a construction company which currently is the Taisei Corporation.

The building was constructed with the western style, and a gate and some barracks in which soldiers of the division dwelt were initially built around the Kaikōsha. Originally, the Kaikōsha was used as a hotel, guest house, and assembly hall for the army and division's officials, and Japanese crown prince Yoshihito and Hirohito, who became the Emperor of Japan in later life, has stayed at the building.

After Japan has lost in World War II, the Kaikōsha was used as the assembly hall of the American army. After the ownership of the Kaikōsha was moved from the government of Japan to the Asahikawa city in 1949, the building was temporarily used as the interim shoolhouse.

Use as the Museum

In 1968, the building of the Kaikōsha was restored in order to use the building as the museum, and the Asahikawa Museum of Local History was opened. Renovated to its original exterior, the museum has displayed historical materials including records of the Ainu tribe. In September, 1993, the museum was moved to the newly established Asahikawa Taisetsu Crystal Hall, a complex building includes music hall, museum, and assembly hall, and renamed to the Asahikawa City Museum.

Due to its western design and historical architecture, the building of the Asahikawa Museum of Local History was designated as one of the Important Cultural Properties of Japan on May 19, 1989. As of 2008, it is the only building in Asahikawa city to be designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. On June 1, 1994, the building was renovated and used as the Asahikawa Museum of Sculpture in Honor of Teijiro Nakahara anew. Teijiro Nakahara is a modern sculptor born in Kushiro, Hokkaidō, lived in Asahikawa in his childhood, and the museum was named after him. The year 2002 marked 100 years since the building of the Asahikawa Kaikōsha was completed, and the 100th anniversary exhibition was held.

Overview

The two-storied museum is timbered and western stractural building. The western style structure, which is also seen at the exterior of the Hōheikan in Sapporo, is characteristic architectural style in primitive Hokkaidō prefecture. The museum mainly exhibits the records and existent twelve works of Teijiro Nakahara and Teijiro Nakahara Awarded sculpture works. Temporal exhibitions are also held including the exhibition of Bikky Sunazawa, a wood carving sculptor born in Asahikawa.

In addition to the exhibition of sculpture works, some events including concert and public lectures for children are also held. In each year, the presentation ceremony of the Teijiro Nakahara Award, which is given to the superior sculptors, is held on October 3, Nakahara's date of birth. The museum is located next to the Yasushi Inoue Memorial Museum and Shunkō Garden.