About Mr. and Mrs. Kawakita

It was the belief of Mr. and Mrs. Kawakita that cinema is the best medium to nurture understanding and friendship across borders. The Kawakitas devoted their lives to pursuing this belief in every possible way. For many decades, from the 1920s on, they bridged the cultures through cinema, introducing masterpieces from abroad to Japan and remarkable Japanese films to overseas. Their achievement and great affection toward cinema are still fondly remembered both in Japan and abroad.

About Kamakura City Kawakita Film Museum

The purpose of the Kawakita Film Museum is to contribute to the film culture of Kamakura-City, where Mr. and Mrs. Kawakita resided. The Museum serves the film and art community by organizing special exhibitions, film screenings, workshops and a browsing library of film books and magazines. The Museum building fits well into its refined neighborhood with its distinctive Sukiya Style. Although the building looks modern, great care has been taken to maintain the original character of the wood block exterior. The wide open windows in the exhibition room overlook a Japanese garden.

The Exhibition Room

The Kawakita Film Museum offers a permanent exhibition and special exhibitions. The permanent exhibition showcases the life and contributions of Mr. and Mrs. Kawakita, including their historical collections. The purpose of the special exhibition area is to present the colourful history of world cinema, and to introduce the works of film directors and actors who have played a prominent role. The museum programs are intended to encourage visitors to examine film as a reflection of Japanese culture and everyday life. It is our hope that a visit to the Kawakita Film Museum will be an interactive experience.

　　　

The Screening Room

Film screenings related to the themes of the special exhibitions at the museum are designed to provide satisfying film experiences for audiences, through careful programming of titles from world classics to contemporary masterpieces.

The Interactive Space

A special room is devoted to materials related to the Kawakitas and film. It includes a variety of books and magazines, as well as computer terminals for browsing online film databases.

Access/Map