Ruskin Memorials in Japan

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 14, 9 October 1937, Page 18

Ruskin Memorials in Japan

TOKYO — The bankruptcy of Ryuzo Mikimoto, son of the famous "peal king" of Japan, Kokichi Mikimoto, threatens to disperse ohe of the best collections of Ruskin memorials to be fouiid anyAvhere in the world. Indeed, Ruskin has been -to some extent the catfse of Mr Mikimoto 's financial misfortune. A devotee of tho teachings of tho great art critic and social ' reformer .ever since his student days in Ldndon, Mr Mikimoto spent money lavishly on Ruskiniana. The collection, which is housed partly in his home, partly in a Ruskin Museum which he founded, and partly in three teahouses which he started with-a view to carrying out Ruskin 's pre^epts in actual lif e, is said to.be worth' about a million yen, approximately 300,000 dollars at current rates of exchange. The collection includes pieces of Ruskin 's furniture, his owni portrait of himself, copies of limited editidns of rare works and precious manuscripts. Besides spending money , f reely on the Ruskin . collection, Mr Mikimoto, who did not inherit the practical ability of his father, who has built up one of the" world 's greatest peatl industries, constantly became involved in debts and; difficulties in connection with three teahouses -which he started under the-na'ines of " Ruskin Libraiy, Ruskin Hall and Ruskin Cottage. • ; Some time ago it was agreed that he should give up the idea of 'inheritihg his f&ther's business in consideration of a lump payment and a monthly allowance. This did- not save tho situation, however, because the younger Mr Mikimoto ' fell into the hands of sharpers i and money-lenders and . f ailed to operate his teahouses along business line's. Now all his possessions, including the teahouses, have been' attached • for the benefit of hia creditors. Mr Mikimoto is most concerned over the fato of his collection, which he . wishes to preserve intact. He appealed to his attorney, expressing his willingness to endure any punishment if the Ruskin memorials which he gathered with so much care could only be preserved as an entity. Whether this wish can bo granted would seem to depend on whether some wealthy purchaser will enter the field. Othenvise the collection will probably be broken np and dispersed as a result of a sale at auction.