Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology

Manggha Museum is a specific place and its history is also pretty interesting. It started in 1920 when Feliks Jasieński – critic, writer and collector of art with a pen name "Manggha" – donated his collection of artworks connected with Japan art to the National Museum in Krakow. The collection was huge, it included 6500 items! Because of the size, the collection wasn't exhibited. The only exception was in 1944, the exhibition was organised in Sukiennice (Cloth Hall) by Germans who were occupying Poland at that time. And a young Andrzej Wajda saw the exhibition and immediately he

became fascinated by Japanese art.

In 1987 the director came to Japan to receive a film award in Kioto. He decided to donate the entire money and build in Krakow place where Jasieński's collection can be shown. The project was supported by the goverment of Japan and Krakow city authorities. 

The building was designed by a Japanese architect, Arata Isozaki so 30^th November 1994 Manggha finally could be opened. The style of the building is contemporary but it connects both sides of Japan – modern and traditional. You can find there the exhibition but not only, in Manggha there are conference rooms as well. Also, the museum organises the courses in tea brewing, flower art (Ikebana) and Japanese language lessons. In 2002 Emperor Akihito with his wife, Michiko, visited Manggha Museum.

 

Currently you can see a few new exhibitions, for example:

- Beyond the horizon. Magda Sobon (till 23^rd August)

- Flutter, Flutter… Jasmine, Jasmine… (till 6^th September)

- Kimono Un-Perfect (till 13^th September)

- A beauty of many waves. Japanese textile design techniques (till 13^th September)

And many others...