Introduction to the Collection
The main building of the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo (MOMAT) houses a collection of artworks that dates from the end of the 19th century to the present. As of the time of writing (December 2022), the extensive collection has more than 13,000 objects including paintings, prints, watercolors, drawings, sculptures (three-dimensional objects), photographs, videos, calligraphy, and related materials. While the collection is centered on modern Japanese art, the museum also collects contemporary artwork from overseas. There are 18 nationally designated Important Cultural Properties in the collection (twelve Nihon-ga (Japanese-style) paintings, five oil paintings, one sculpture. Among them, one Nihon-ga painting and one oil painting are on loan). Notable acquisitions are the archive of 600 artworks, sketches, diaries, letters and other items that belonged to the painter KISHIDA Ryusei, approximately 3000 drawings by the sculptor Wakabayashi Isamu, and 153 paintings documenting the Sino-Japanese War and the Pacific War. The MOMAT Collection, a themed exhibition of works from the collection that is rotated five times a year, displays about 200 of these works at any given time. Every year, approximately 250 works are also on loan to art museums in Japan and abroad. The curators at the Collection Department are in charge of everything from adding to the collection, to safeguarding the works, researching individual objects, organizing the MOMAT Collection exhibition, processing loans to other institutions, and photographing and publicizing the works of art in the collection.
Welcome to the MOMAT Collection!
One of the largest collection exhibitions in Japan, MOMAT Collection presents 200 works selected in each exhibition period from our collection of more than 13,000 items including Japanese- and Western-style paintings, prints, sculptures, photographs and videos.
As the only exhibition in Japan giving you an insight into Japanese art in and after the twentieth century at a single stroke, it offers diverse ways of appreciating art by changing exhibits after every exhibition period, and by giving small thematic exhibitions.
To provide a comfortable experience in broad galleries, we offer spacious places for relaxation including A Room With a View overlooking the Imperial Palace and areas near Tokyo Station, as well as various chairs.
About Display Renewal
Exhibitions will be renewed every two or three months, with significant changes in the works on display. With a wide range of special displays, you are bound to encounter something new every time you visit the museum. The “Highlight Corner,” where you’ll find a variety of familiar works, and the relaxing “Nihon-ga (Japanese-style Painting) Corner” also promise a rich viewing experience.
There’s no time to delay!
Make that trip to the museum today!
*Photography by Kioku Keizo
About MOMAT collection
MOMAT Collection comprises twelve（or thirteen）rooms and two spaces for relaxation on three floors. In addition, sculptures are shown near the terrace on the second floor and in the front yard. The space for relaxation “A Room With a View” is on the fourth floor.
The entrance of the collection exhibition MOMAT Collection is on the fourth floor. Please take the elevator or walk up stairs to the fourth floor from the entrance hall on the first floor.
MOMAT Collection FREE GUIDE APP
You can read, listen to, and take home commentary of the exhibitions at the museum on your smartphone or tablet.
1
Install “Catalog Pocket” app from App Store or Google Play Store.
2
Start the app and scan the QR Code starting from the icon
at top right.
3
Add “MOMAT Collection” to My Contents.
4
Blue buttons navigate pages. Gray buttons display a commentary.
※Tap the MOMAT logo and Choose “Speech” from the icon
at the top right, a commentary is read by voice.
※Free public Wi-Fi access is available in the museum. (momat-free-wifi) Please use earphones inside the museum.
※“MOMAT Collection commentary on works” is multilingualized in cooperation with DNP Dai Nippon Printing. Planning and production：DNP Dai Nippon Printing・DNP Art Communications