Makonde Art Museum

Overview

The Makonde Art Museum is a private museum in Futami-cho Matsushita, Ise, Mie Prefecture, described as the world's first museum dedicated to Makonde art. Its director, Tsuneo Mizuno, assembled a collection of about 2,000 works over roughly two decades, which are shown on a rotating basis. The holdings center on works by the Makonde people, who live along the border of Tanzania and Mozambique.

Highlights

• ●Works by the Makonde people, traditionally known for ebony carving
• ●A rotating display drawn from a collection of about 2,000 pieces
• ●Tingatinga-school paintings, drawings and batik
• ●Displays of folk musical instruments and everyday objects

History

The museum opened in Japan in 1984 and reopened at its current location in Ise in 1991. The core of the display is a collection assembled by director Tsuneo Mizuno over about twenty years.

Map

34.4908, 136.8117 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1View the sculptures, centered on Makonde carving
2. 2See the Tingatinga-school paintings and batik
3. 3Look at the folk musical instruments and everyday objects on display
4. 4Note the rotating works drawn from the collection of about 2,000 pieces

Did you know?

💡 It is said to be the first museum in the world dedicated to Makonde art.

Nearby spots