travel asia japan osaka prefecture chikatsu asuka museum
ARCHITECT: Tadao Ando - 1994
The Osaka Prefecture Chikatsu Asuka Museum is in the Fusoki-no-Oka archaeological park in Kanan, Osaka Prefecture, Japan, which contains over 200 historic burial mounds.
It is dedicated to the area of Chikatsu Asuka during the Kofun and Asuka periods, the focal point of the earliest Japanese history.
This region is first documented the famous Kojiki, "An Account of Ancient Matters" the oldest existing chronicle in Japan.
One of the main attractions of the museum for me was the architecture of Tadao Ando.
The design seems to represent Ando's interpretation of a burial mound or tomb forged in concrete.
To me, the exterior, although unique and interesting, seems to lack a clear definition as a building... as a museum.
I was immediately drawn to the long sloping roof of steps like an enormous stairway that doubles as a stage and lecture area
from which one can, reportedly, see the entire excavated area of the surrounding tombs.
The entrance, which is tucked away behind the "hill" of a roof, almost feels like an after-thought.
Ando is one of my favorite architects and I fear I am not doing him justice with my comments...
Perhaps I need to do some more reading on his thoughts about this structure...
LINK TO WIKIPEDIA'S WEB PAGE ON OSAKA PREFECTURE CHIKATSU ASUKA MUSEUM
LINK TO WIKIPEDIA'S WEB PAGE ON TADAO ANDO
TRAVEL: 1998
This location has earned an over-all four star (very good) rating from
Travel Fanatics Unlimited
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unless noted otherwise all images copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc
The massive staircase roof, Osaka Prefecture Chikatsu Asuka Museum, Japan, 1998.
The somewhat confusing proliferation of staircases on the parking lot fascade, Osaka Prefecture Chikatsu Asuka Museum, Japan, 1998.
Exterior passage, Osaka Prefecture Chikatsu Asuka Museum, Japan, 1998.
Entry courtyard, Osaka Prefecture Chikatsu Asuka Museum, Japan, 1998.
The "burial mound" museuma peaking over the parkland, Osaka Prefecture Chikatsu Asuka Museum, Japan, 1998.
Chapel-like out building, Osaka Prefecture Chikatsu Asuka Museum, Japan, 1998.
Looking back at the main structure, Osaka Prefecture Chikatsu Asuka Museum, Japan, 1998.
Detail of an interior ramp, Osaka Prefecture Chikatsu Asuka Museum, Japan, 1998.
Interior, featuring a large diorama of the historic area, Osaka Prefecture Chikatsu Asuka Museum, Japan, 1998.
Detail of the diorama, Osaka Prefecture Chikatsu Asuka Museum, Japan, 1998.
Display of ancient armor, Osaka Prefecture Chikatsu Asuka Museum, Japan, 1998.
Display of ancient arrows, Osaka Prefecture Chikatsu Asuka Museum, Japan, 1998.
Osaka Prefecture Chikatsu Asuka Museum, Japan, 1998.
Me, taking in the architecture, Osaka Prefecture Chikatsu Asuka Museum, Japan, 1998.
copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc
page last revised january 2020