Matsukata Kojiro facts for kids
Matsukata Kōjirō (born January 17, 1865 – died June 24, 1950) was a famous Japanese businessman and a passionate art collector. He gathered a huge collection of French art. This amazing collection is now the main part of Japan's National Museum of Western Art (NMWA) in Ueno, a busy area in central Tokyo.
Early Life and Family
Matsukata Kōjirō was the son of Matsukata Masayoshi. His father was a very important person in Japanese history. Matsukata Masayoshi even served as the Prime Minister of Japan during the Meiji Period. The Meiji Period was a time of big changes and modernization in Japan.
His Business Career
Matsukata Kōjirō became a successful businessman. In 1896, he took on a big role. He became the president of the Kawasaki Shipbuilding Company. This company built many ships and was very important for Japan's industry.
Passion for Art Collecting
Matsukata Kōjirō loved Western art. He bought thousands of paintings and sculptures from Europe. Among his most famous purchases were two incredible sculptures by the French artist Auguste Rodin. These were "The Thinker" and "Gates of Hell."
The Rodin sculptures you can see at the entrance of the National Museum of Western Art are very special. They were made from the same original molds as the ones at the Rodin Museum in France. In fact, Matsukata actually paid for some of the best Rodin castings that exist in France today.
Some of the artworks Matsukata collected are now part of France's national art collection. This shows how important and valuable his collection was.
The Japanese public first got to see Matsukata's amazing art collection in 1959. It was a big moment for art lovers in Japan.
Images for kids
-
Queen Anne's Interior in 1901
-
A "Thinker"-like detail above the closed doors of the entrance at Rodin's "Gates of Hell" in front of the National Museum of Western Art
-
Rodin's "Gates of Hell" near entrance to NMWA in Tokyo
