Art Without Boundaries: Explore Watanuki Hirosuke’s World of Muhouan in this Exclusive Tour and Ceramics Workshop

Discover Hirosuke Watanuki and His World of Muhouan

Hirosuke Watanuki (1926-2021) lived an extraordinary life, growing up in Kobe before moving to Portugal, where he studied and worked for fifteen years before returning to Japan. Watanuki’s many travels and broad interests led him to the concept of Muhouan, a world freed from conventional boundaries that came to guide both the aesthetics of his art and the way he lived his life.

Hirosuke Watanuki

At its essence, Muhouan means “without boundaries” and this philosophy deeply affected Watanuki’s work through his tendency to blur the lines between Eastern and Western influences within his artwork. Watanuki also pushed against the confines of form in art, experimenting with different blends of painting, sculpture, ceramics, architecture, and even poetry throughout his long and fruitful life. 

“Self Portrait” by Hirosuke Watanuki

Take a Tour of Arima Onsen

Just a short 30-minute train ride from the city of Kobe, Arima Onsen is one of Japan’s oldest and most famous onsen towns. Offering a bucolic escape from city life amidst the green valleys beyond Mount Rokko, Arima Onsen has inspired generations of writers and artists.

The historic ryokan inn Goshobessho

After arriving at the train station in Arima Onsen and meeting your guide at the historic ryokan inn Goshobessho, you will take a short walking tour of Arima Onsen. As you stroll through the quiet streets, your guide will explain the historical significance of this picturesque onsen town and how Watanuki came to live and work there.

The tour begins with a visit to Goshobessho to view examples of Watanuki’s art

Visit the Historic Ryokan Inns of Goshobessho and Goshoboh

With Arima Onsen giving welcome respite to weary travelers for hundreds of years, the town is home to many fine ryokan inns. On your tour, you will visit both Goshoboh and Goshobessho, home to collections of art created by Hirosuke Watanuki, including paintings, ceramics, and sculptures.

Watanuki was often fascinated with kanji in his artwork

Goshobessho offers modern accommodation with spectacular private baths and a gorgeous garden. This modern inn was constructed in 2007 based on a concept developed by Watanuki himself that he called Yo-teki Wa. Rather than a simple blending of Eastern and Western influences, Yo-teki Wa involves a unique style that makes use of Western design and technology while maintaining an underlying Japanese aesthetic and essence. Watanuki’s attention to detail can be observed throughout Goshobessho, from the design of the bookshelves and furniture to the way he hung the chandeliers. 

Goshoboh, the oldest ryokan in Arima Onsen, home to a fine collection of Watanuki’s art

With a history stretching back over 800 years, Goshoboh is a particularly revered traditional ryokan inn where guests can enjoy luxurious meals, rest in traditional Japanese rooms, and bathe in natural hot springs. 

Push Artistic Boundaries in a Hands-on Ceramics Workshop

One of the many mediums that Hirosuke Watanuki explored during his long career was ceramic art, producing everything from plates, bowls, and tea cups to more abstract creations. Fascinated with kanji characters throughout his life, and in keeping with his Muhouan philosophy, Watanuki often incorporated kanji in various forms into his ceramic art, along with paintings and etchings. 

Try your hand at ceramic art in this hands-on workshop

To attempt to put Muhouan into practice, this tour offers a hands-on workshop where you will work to create a piece of ceramic art: in this case, a small piece of tableware. What you choose to make and how you choose to design it is very much up to you, as the whole point is to be free, relaxed, open, and creative. Rather than direct instruction,master ceramics artist Imai, who worked under Watanuki for many years and thus keeps his teacher’s idea of Muhouan alive, will offer advice and guidance as you push the boundaries of self expression. Free yourself from boundaries and pursue something special that is interesting and unique to you.

Master ceramics artist Imai will guide you through the workshop

Gaze at Masterworks of Art in Galeria Retiro D'Ouro

While both Goshoboh and Goshobessho include many examples of Watanuki’s work throughout their rooms and halls, the greatest concentration of his art can be found within the Galeria Retiro D'Ouro, located within a restored former storehouse at Goshoboh. With a name inspired by Watanuki’s fifteen years in Portugal, this fine gallery displays many works to which Watanuki contributed creatively.

Inside Galeria Retiro D'Ouro

Inside, you can take some time to peruse the gallery yourself, taking time to reflect on the creativity and insight of the artists. Of course, your guide will also be happy to answer any questions that you might have.

Take some time to peruse the gallery’s beautiful collection

Arima Onsen: Artistic Invention and Natural Beauty

Despite being just 30 minutes by car from the busy city of Kobe, Arima Onsen is an oasis of mountains, forests, and small town charm, with hot springs that are renowned throughout Japan. This one-day tour introduces visitors to the town itself as well as two of its finest ryokan inns.

Goshoboh’s garden are a timeless escape from the rigors of city life
Please note that tours are dependent upon venue availability, which is subject to change.

We hope that you will leave Arima Onsen feeling that you have got to know one of the town’s most interesting former inhabitants, Hirosuke Watanuki, who produced so many wonderful works of art. Perhaps you will find something in his philosophy of Muhouan that helps you, whether directly or indirectly, with your artistic endeavors and your daily life. 

Goshoboh and Goshobessho contain striking pieces of Hirosuke Watanuki art