Atami, Japan

Baelz collection returns home from Germany

 

Cultural News, 2009 March Issue

 

Arita ceramic. Edo to Meiji Period. Photo courtesy of MOA Museum of Art.

 

 

By Yuko Itastu

 

  Some claim Japanese art survived WWII because they were safely stored in private collections outside the country. One such collection from Germany has finally made its pilgrimage back home. A special exhibit entitled “The Beauty of Edo and Meiji - Japanese Art that Fascinated Court Physician Dr. Baelz” will be held at the MOA Museum of Art in Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, from March 28- May 10.

 

   Erwin von Baelz (1849-1913) sailed from Germany to Japan in 1876 to serve as a Professor of Internal Medicine at the Imperial University of Tokyo as well as the court physician to the Imperial Family.

 

   During his 25 years in Japan, Baelz developed an appreciation and keen eye for Japanese art, and became a passionate collector. With the help of his Japanese wife Hana, he collected over six thousand items ranging from paintings, ceramics, lacquer, castings, and kimonos.

 

   This is the first time the Baelz collection is travelling outside of Germany at such a large scale. The collection is usually housed at the Linden-Museum Stuttgart, which owns 16,000 items of Japanese art. 

 

    The MOA Museum is located in Atami, Shizuoka. An 8-minute taxi ride from JR Atami station; Atami is a 45 min. ride from Tokyo on the bullet train. Admissions: Adult 1,600 yen (advanced tickets 1,300 yen), seniors 1,200 yen. Open Fri-Wed from 9:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. For more information, see www.moaart.or.jp

 

    Yuko Itatsu is a Project Assistant Professor at the University of Tokyo and a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Southern California.