Yokote Masuda Manga Museum

Overview

The Yokote Masuda Manga Museum, in the Masuda district of Yokote City, Akita Prefecture, is a museum devoted to the art of manga. It opened in October 1995 to honor the achievements of manga artist Takao Yaguchi, a native of Masuda, and is known as the first museum in Japan built around the theme of original manga artwork. Its greatest draw is the chance to view, up close, the actual inked pages drawn by artists, with the momentum of the pen and the breath of each line preserved in a way that no printed edition can convey. Here you can savor manga culture through the unique lens of the original drawings.

Highlights

• ●A rare chance to view original manga pages drawn by the artists up close
• ●Exhibits conveying the achievements of Masuda-born artist Takao Yaguchi
• ●A pioneering identity as Japan's first museum themed on original manga art
• ●The power of originals, revealing pen lines and correction marks unseen in print

History

The museum opened on October 21, 1995. It was created to commemorate the accomplishments of Takao Yaguchi, a manga artist connected to Masuda, and came into being as the first museum in Japan themed around original manga art. It has since built its reputation as a specialist institution known for its collection of original drawings. For details of the collection, exhibitions and any renovations, it is best to consult the official information.

Map

39.2047, 140.5505 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Begin with the displays on Takao Yaguchi to learn how the museum came to be
2. 2Study the momentum of the pen and the life of each line in the original-art galleries
3. 3Explore the current special exhibition and encounter originals by a range of artists
4. 4Afterward, extend your walk to the storehouse-lined streets of the Masuda district

Did you know?

💡 The idea of a museum centered on original artwork was groundbreaking at the time of its opening. Being able to appreciate brushstrokes and even traces of white correction fluid, all lost in the printing process, as part of the work itself has drawn countless manga fans.

Nearby spots