GUNMA -- A 150-square-meter structure painted in green sits in the schoolyard of the former Matsuida Nishi Junior High School in Annaka, Gunma Prefecture. Artist Shuji Nagao, 69, built the structure in an effort to convert the former school into an art museum to attract tourists from neighboring Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture.
The small structure houses French dolls and sculptures, as well as Nagao's paintings, among other pieces of art. A 1.7-meter long and 4.5-meter wide watercolor depicting a gushing mountain stream is also displayed on the grounds, with Mt. Myogi providing an appropriate backdrop.
Nagao, who had been looking for a place to store his works of art, fell in love with the former school and obtained permission from the city to use the site.
He bought materials from hardware stores, used an electric saw to cut materials, and started construction on his own in December. It took 3 months to complete.
After graduating from high school, Nagao joined a company that designed cars for Toyota Motor Corp., and later ran a supplementary school in Tokyo that prepared students for art school entrance examinations.
Nagao painted pieces while teaching but said he had no luck with art dealers, who apparently said to him, "Your paintings are impeccable, but I want to know more about your background."
"Is it possible to be evaluated without having received awards?" he thought to himself, frustrated by the setbacks.
Nagao moved to Europe in 2006, and from his base in London visited 23 countries, selling his paintings to make money along the way.
He met a man picking blackberries in the alleys of Loire, France, one day when funds were running low.
The berry picker listened to Nagao as he recounted tales from his long journey and eventually asked the hard-up artist if he needed a place to stay.
Nagao, eager to take the man up on his offer, followed him to the residence of Francoise Icart, the head of an art association.
His paintings of cherry blossoms caught the eye of Icart, who gave him the opportunity of holding a solo exhibition in Paris.
"The story is almost too good to be true. I had some unexpected fortune while traveling," he said.
Nagao chose Annaka as the final destination for his long journey in the hope of turning a disused school into an art museum at which residents and tourists can view artworks, and a warehouse for Tokyo-based artists to store their works.
"I want to continue painting while looking at Mt. Myogi from the school grounds, where monkeys and wild boars come to play."
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