“There are many reasons, but the most important reason to build this museum is very simple. I would just love you all to see my big paintings here anytime. I hope that art is always around you, and you can easily enjoy it anytime. If I could be one of the contributors, nothing is better than that.”

– Naka Bokunen

Maidens of Okinawa art exhibit by Okinawan artist Naka Bokunen

While walking in the Mihama American Village in Okinawa, I have noticed a building with a distinctive red roof. This structure housed the Bokunen Art Museum. I just passed by the museum and went first to the beach nearby. Later that afternoon, I finally entered the museum with an entrance fee of 500 yen for adults.

I realized that the name of the art museum is actually the name of the artist, Naka Bokunen. So I thought he must be famous to have his own art museum in Okinawa. I googled his name right away to know who is Naka Bokunen.

Based on Wikipedia, Naka Bokunen is an Okinawan artist famous for his brightly coloured Okinawan landscape painting, particularly of his birthplace Izena island in the north of Okinawa. He is an expert of woodblock printing, a form of fine art with carvings in a piece of wood.

Woodblock printing art by Naka Bokunen

In the gallery, I didn’t see any landscape paintings but portraits of ladies. The museum is currently having the exhibit for his paintings about the “Maidens of Okinawa”. The lovely portraits are so alive and vibrant with vivid colors of flowers, leaves, fishes, insects and birds.

In the exhibit room, there is a white, spiral staircase leading to the rooftop. This is where you can enjoy the panoramic view of the ocean, which is I think is a bonus when you enter the museum.