Things to do in Onomichi, Chugoku: The Best Museums

Hirayama Ikuo was born in Setoda-chō, Hiroshima Prefecture in 1930 (in the fifth year of the Showa Era) where he spent his childhood in the region richly endowed with nature. Mystical tide and ultramarine oceans of the island had strong influence over his mind. We could say his sensibility was gained by the environment. Hirayama Ikuo survived atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. Though he suffered the aftereffects of radiation, he produced a series of paintings depicting the introduction of Buddhism to Japan to longing for peace. In search of roots of Japanese culture influenced by Buddhism, his inspiration spread across time and space toward Silk Road where eastern and western cultures was interacted. His travel and researches in tracing Buddhist monk Xuanzang whose footstep expanded eastward stretched over 350,000km. Campaigning for the preservation and restoration of the world's cultural heritage, he earnestly worked on so called the "Red Cross Spirit for Cultural Heritage" whiles his busy schedule. Prayer for peace might serve as the driving force for all those works. A variety of Hirayama Ikuo's work are displayed at as part of the museum's collection including his childhood paintings, sketches, rough copies, late year works. Hirayama Ikuo said "I was greatly influenced by the culture of Seto Inland Sea". We hope you find those sprits in our museum. At the end, we wish our museum offer information about culture and the arts. We also aim to provide children responsible for the next generation with an emotional richness. Thank you for your assistance and cooperation.