The Cloud over an Upward Slope Museum

The Cloud over an Upward Slope Museum, designed by ANDO, was completed in 2006. It stands in the city of Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, Shikoku. The city is noted for its 3000-year-old Dogo Onsen in the Dogo district and Matsuyama Castle on Katsuyama Hill in the center of the city. It's a unique triangular building fitted with glass panels called the glass curtain wallson its western side. The glass reflects the surrounding scenery and the architecture blends in the environment. 

The museum showcases three enterprising figures from Matsuyama who lived out the Meiji period when Japan, finally awoken from its long self-imposed hibernation in the Edo period, was making the utmost effort to be recognized as a first-rate nation and attain an equal status with western countries. Japan pursued the cloud over an upward slope, thinking they would be able to catch up with the international society once they've reached the cloud. 

There are no English explanations available inside the museum. Therefore, it will not be worth trying the exhibits to look for information for non-Japanese. 
Architecturally, however, it’s fun to see the interior. Also, you are free to look around at the exterior and take pictures. 

The three renowned Japanese from Matsuyama, featured by the museum, the AKIYAMA brothers and MASAOKA Shiki, are interesting to know about. Through them, you’ll feel the dynamism of Meiji and see how young ambitious talents tried to make a difference at the dawn of modern Japan and achieve personal success.

AKIYAMA Yoshifuru [1859 to 1930] is credited with being the father of the Japanese Cavalry. While his younger brother, Saneyuki [1868-1918], excelled in naval tactics. When Saneyuki was born, the family already had too many children and was not well off. The parents hinted that they would give up the baby to a temple but ten-year-old Yoshifuru protested that he was going to make a lot of money in no time and that the bills he would get would be equal to the thickness of Tofu. 

MASAOKA Shiki [1867-1902] single-handedly revolutionized old Japanese poetry, making it relevant to contemporary Japan. NATSUME Soseki [1867-1916], one of the most renowned Japanese novelists from the Meiji period, was born in 1867, the same year as Shiki. They were born just before the advent of Meiji. They shared the room in Matsuyama for 52 days in 1895 when Soseki was working as an English teacher at a local school. Shiki came back to Matsuyama for health reason and Soseki let him live with him. 

Young illuminators like them lived the age of fledging Japan called Meiji [1868-1912].


See more of Ando's works on my previous blog site (category: Ando's architecture).