Kyoto

Kyoto – located on Honsiu Island, founded in the 8th century, former capital of Japan and seat of the Emperor is considered to be a cultural centre of the country.  At least until 18th century the art inspired by and created by the imperial court artists had radiated all over the entire country.

Kyoto was spared during the heavy bombings during World War II and thanks to that remains now one of the best preserved Japanese cities.  Former Capital of Japan boasts of 1600 buddhist temples and 400 shinto shrines, palaces, gardens and traditional architecture. A great number of the most famous Japanese historical monuments can be found in the vicinity of the city.

Conferring to the City of Kyoto the title of the Honorary Twin City of Kraków is related to the 30th Anniversary of the Manngha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology in our city. Establishing of the the Museum was initiated by Kyoto-Kraków Foundation and personaly by the renowned polish director Andrzej Wajda who contributed to this purpose the full amount of the prestigious Inamori Prize received by him in Kyoto in 1987.The rest of the donations came from The East Japan Railway Workers’ Union and from thousands individual donors in Japan. Famous architect Arata Isozaki prepared the architectural concept design of the Manggha Museum as his input and collaborated with architects from Kraków  Krzysztof Ingarden (now a Honorary General Consul of Japan) and Jacek Ewý and JET Atelier in the realisation of the project. The opening ceremony of  the Manngha Japanese Art and Technology Center (now a Museum), that became permanent home for the unique collection of Japanese art donated by Feliks 'Manggha' Jasieński to National Museum in Kraków back in 1926, was held on 30 November 1994.

For 30 years the Manggha Museum has been running cultural activities based on cooperation of Art Schools in Kraków and Kyoto, exchange of art exhibitions and projects realized by the famous ikebana school IKENOBO and SENSHIN-KAI Association. The activities of the Museum contribute to promotion of both Kraków and Kyoto. For many years now, former capitals of Poland and Japan have been working together in the League of Historical Cities.