On my way back from Asakusa, I had some time to spare, so I dropped by the Tokyo National Museum. I didn’t really have anything in mind—my feet just took me there. And still, today was a good day, as always.
It was the season of the New Year’s event “Hatsumode at the Museum,” and the Honkan was showing Hasegawa Tōhaku’s National Treasure “Pine Trees” (Shōrin-zu byōbu)! As popular as ever, the room was packed with people wanting to take photos. I kept thinking I shouldn’t get in anyone’s shot… so I held back and couldn’t get close. But I really did want to see it up close, so I waited for the right moment and slipped quietly to the front.
The Real Draw: The Gallery of Horyuji Treasures
What I most wanted to see that day wasn’t an exhibit at all—it was the architecture. Specifically, the Gallery of Horyuji Treasures. Designed by Yoshio Taniguchi, it looks as if it were made of nothing but horizontal and vertical lines—a hushed, quiet building. With the reflecting pool out front, the closer you get, the more you find yourself standing up a little straighter.
It happened to be drifting into evening, with soft light just beginning to fall, and the cold, crystal-clear winter air came sweeping through—even better. I stood outside just gazing at it, and that alone left me so satisfied that I ran out of time to actually go inside. Well—I come by often enough, so the inside can wait until next time 👋
On the way out, there was also the Hyokeikan with its eye-catching green dome. It was just so cool that I had to snap a photo. Having so many buildings from different eras gathered on the same grounds is part of what makes the Tokyo National Museum so interesting. And the Toyokan—designed by Taniguchi’s father, Yoshiro Taniguchi—stands on these grounds too. Father and son both leaving buildings here at the museum—isn’t that lovely? Of course I gave his father’s gallery a good, long stare too 👀
Wrapping Up
A great tree, stripped bare of its leaves, was casting a big shadow against the blue sky—so painterly that I found myself stopping to gaze at it for a while. The colors were beautiful, too. The winter air, and the New Year’s touch of the kadomatsu (pine-and-bamboo New Year’s decorations).
Even with nothing in particular to see—or rather, maybe especially on days like that—it might just be the most luxurious way to spend time.
