Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art 石川県立美術館、文化財保存修復工房

Ishikawa’s centuries-old tradition of fine art on display

The Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art showcases the area’s tradition of fine art, which thrived under the wealthy Kaga domain (present-day Ishikawa and its surroundings) during the Edo period (1603–1867). Much of the collection used to belong to the Maeda family, the rulers of Kaga. The seven gallery spaces feature local ceramics, lacquerware, Buddhist paintings, Kaga-yuzen silk kimonos, samurai swords, and more.

The most precious pieces in the collection are a pair of ceramic incense holders in the shape of pheasants. The incense holders were made by Nonomura Ninsei (1648–1690) and have been designated a National Treasure. Unlike other National Treasures in Japan, the pair are on permanent display, since ceramic does not fade or decay in light.

Next to the museum is the Conservation and Restoration Studio of Cultural Properties. The facility repairs historic artifacts from Ishikawa and around Japan. Visitors can see restoration work underway in the studio and watch videos documenting previous projects.

The first floor of the museum has a cafe with sweets by world-renowned patissier Tsujiguchi Hironobu.