Changes

==History==

==History==

The museum got its start in a 1983 exhibit of some 180 pieces of Ryukyuan lacquerware organized by the city, aimed at combatting an image of Okinawa as an undeveloped place lacking in culture in which people could take pride. The exhibit was well-reviewed and successful, and afterwards Urasoe mayor Higa Noboru worked with lacquerware artist [[Maeda Koin|Maeda Kôin]] and others to convince other members of the city government to support a plan for the city to purchase these 180 or so pieces and to use them as the core of a new art museum. Though Maeda initially declined invitations to serve as assistant director of the new museum at that time, he later became director in [[2005]].<ref>"Shurijô Seiden ha sekai saidaikyû no urushi no ki. Shurijô no shûfuku, fukugen ga dekiru shokunin o sodatete moraitai"「首里城正殿は世界最大級の漆の器。首里城の修復、復元ができる職人を育ててもらいたい。」、Fee nu kaji 南ぬ風 9 (2008/10-12), 3.</ref>

The museum got its start in a 1983 exhibit of some 180 pieces of Ryukyuan lacquerware organized by the city, aimed at combatting an image of Okinawa as an undeveloped place lacking in culture in which people could take pride. The exhibit was well-reviewed and successful, and afterwards Urasoe mayor Higa Noboru worked with lacquerware artist [[Maeda Koin|Maeda Kôin]] and others to convince other members of the city government to support a plan for the city to purchase these 180 or so pieces and to use them as the core of a new art museum. Though Maeda initially declined invitations to serve as assistant director of the new museum at that time, he later served as director for a period from 2005 to 2010.

The museum ultimately opened in 1990. Though the original plan named it the Urasoe City Handicrafts Art Museum (''Urasoe shi kôgei bijutsukan''), the "Crafts" (''kôgei'') was dropped from the museum's name around the time of its opening. Though lacquerware remains the predominant focus of the museum's permanent displays and special exhibits, in theory it is an art museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art more broadly.

The museum ultimately opened in 1990. Though the original plan named it the Urasoe City Handicrafts Art Museum (''Urasoe shi kôgei bijutsukan''), the "Crafts" (''kôgei'') was dropped from the museum's name around the time of its opening. Though lacquerware remains the predominant focus of the museum's permanent displays and special exhibits, in theory it is an art museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art more broadly.

==References==

==References==

*Asato Susumu 安里進, et al, "Maeda Kôin shi o itamu" 「前田孝允氏を悼む」, Shurijô kenkyû 首里城研究 23 (March 2021), 95.

*Asato Susumu 安里進, Kinjô Satoko 金城聡子, et al, "Maeda Kôin shi o itamu" 「前田孝允氏を悼む」, Shurijô kenkyû 首里城研究 23 (March 2021), 95.

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