Matsukata Kojiro

was a Japanese businessman and art collector.Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005).  "Matsukata Kōjirō," Japan Encyclopedia, p. 343. His collection of French art is the core of Japan's National Museum of Western Art (NMWA) in Ueno, central Tokyo.National Museum of Western Art (NMWA),  Matsukata collection; retrieved 2012-11-13.

 Background 
Matsukata was the son of Matsukata Masayoshi who was a Prime Minister of Japan during the Meiji Period.Louis-Frédéric,  "Matsukata Masayoshi," at p. 343.

Career
Matsukata became  president of Kawasaki Shipbuilding Company (Kawasaki Shōzō) in 1896.Greenfield, Liah. (2001).  The Spirit of Capitalism: Nationalism and Economic Growth, p. 341.

 Art collecting 
Masukata bought thousands of Western paintings and sculpture including Auguste Rodin's "The Thinker" and "Gates of Hell." The Rodin sculptures in the NMWA entrance plaza were made from the same original casting as at the Rodin Museum in France.McChesney, Clara.  "Rodin's Tomb a New Meca for Artists of the World; Sculptures Reassembled at Meudon Will Be Opened to Public -- Their Setting Is Beautiful and Impressive," New York Times. August 22, 1926.  In fact, Matsukata actually paid for the best Rodin castings in France today.Michener, James A. (1983).  The Floating World, p. 244.

Some works collected by Matsukata are today in the French national collection of art.Falk, Ray.   "French Art in Tokyo," New York Times. June 21, 1959.

Matsukata's art collection was first seen by the Japanese public in 1959.

 References 

Other websites

 National Museum of Western Art website

Category:Japanese businesspeople
Category:1865 births
Category:1950 deaths
Category:People from Kagoshima Prefecture