Art History 371: Transforming Traditions: Art and Visual Culture in Japan

"Welcome and thank you for visiting. Through great art experiences, we strive to be a catalyst for discovery, dialogue and inspiration. Our vision and mission are centered on you, the visitor. We hope you're able to experience our museum in person, in addition to visiting with us online. I look forward to seeing you here soon."-Jay Xu, Director, Asian Art Museum, Website

"The British Art Museum was started in 1753 by Parliament after buying the collections of Sir Hans Sloane, Sir William Hamilton, Townley Marbles, Phrygian Marbles and Elgin Marbles. These collections started the museum with works of art, natural history, antiquities, and Egyptian artifacts. The collections have only grown throughout the years and it is said to be one of the most rounded and largest collections containing over two million objects."-Kelton Rockett based on David Rodgers’ British Museum entry in the Oxford Companion to Western Art.

"The mission of the Cleveland Museum of Art is to fulfill its dual roles as one of the world’s most distinguished comprehensive art museums and one of northeastern Ohio’s principal civic and cultural institutions. The museum, established in 1913 “for the benefit of all the people forever,”1 seeks to bring the pleasure and meaning of art to the broadest possible audience in accordance with the highest aesthetic, intellectual, and professional standards. Toward this end the museum augments, preserves, exhibits, and fosters understanding of the outstanding collections of world art it holds in trust for the public and presents complementary exhibitions and programs."-J. H. Wade II, Website

"Welcome to the website of the Kyoto National Museum! Our site offers information on our Museum, past and ongoing exhibitions, as well as forthcoming events. Since its founding in 1897, the Kyoto National Museum-located in the early capital of Japan with its long history and rich culture has enjoyed many visitors. The cultural arts that flourished here spread to the rest of Japan, creating artistic expressions often defined as "Japanese." In this sense, most of what is called Japanese art and culture are closely connected to Kyoto. It is, thus, my wish that our Museum, while taking root in this historical city, will continue its endeavor in presenting Japanese art."- Johei Sasaki, Director, Kyoto National Museum, April 2005, Website

"The mission of The Metropolitan Museum of Art is to collect, preserve, study, exhibit, and stimulate appreciation for and advance knowledge of works of art that collectively represent the broadest spectrum of human achievement at the highest level of quality, all in the service of the public and in accordance with the highest professional standards. September 12, 2000." Metropolitan Website Mission Statement

"The Nara National Museum is located in a corner of Nara Park surrounded by the Tōdai-ji Temple, the Kōfuku-ji Temple, and the Kasuga Taisha Shrine. With the cooperation of temples, shrines, and other cultural properties’ owners, we conserve and study cultural properties, including artworks and archeological artifacts related to Buddhist art. We also hold exhibitions to encourage the understanding of the quality of and fascination with Buddhist art cultivated through deep faith in Buddhism, as well as the profound culture and historical background of Buddhist art. "-Ken’ichi Yuyama, Director, Nara National Museum, Website

"SAM Connects Art to Life
SAM provides a welcoming place for people to connect with art and to consider its relationship to their lives. SAM is one museum in three locations: SAM Downtown, Seattle Asian Art Museum at Volunteer Park, and the Olympic Sculpture Park on the downtown waterfront. SAM collects, preserves and exhibits objects from across time and across cultures, exploring the dynamic connections between past and present. Access either the most recent or past annual reports."-Missioin Statement of Seattle Art Museum Website

"The mission of the Tokyo National Museum is to convey the traditions and culture of Japan to future generations while balancing the demands of conservation and exhibition, which are activities necessary for preserving cultural properties and sharing them widely."- Zeniya Masami Executive Director, Tokyo National Museum, Website