A Floating Art Museum
AsukaIII features an extraordinary collection of original works by Japan's most celebrated artists — including two Living National Treasures
More than a cruise ship, AsukaIII is a curated gallery at sea. The collection spans Japanese painting, lacquerwork, calligraphy, photography, and more — over 130 original works woven into every space of the vessel. As the artworks interact with the ship's wake and changing skies, they transform continuously, offering a living art experience found nowhere else on earth.
Featured Artists & Masterpieces
Original masterworks by Japan's most celebrated artists
Kazumi Murose
Living National Treasure — Maki-e (gold-dust lacquer)
“Radiant Light, Radiant Brilliance”
A monumental 9-meter lacquer wall installation expressing wishes for brilliance and progress. The upper section uses gold leaf with maki-e and raden; the lower section features night-luminescent shells on polished black lacquer. A masterwork of Japan's highest lacquer art tradition.
Kazumi Murose, Kazuo Yamagishi & 5 master artisans
Two Living National Treasures leading young master craftspeople
“Sea Journey (Kaiyu)”
A collaborative lacquer masterpiece depicting waves transitioning from ocean swells to calm harbor waters. Created by two Living National Treasures and five young masters of the Japan Craft Association, each contributing their regional lacquerware technique.
Hiroshi Senju
Internationally acclaimed painter, Japan Art Academy member
“Waterfall on Colors”
A monumental evolution of Senju's iconic Waterfall Series, this piece shifts perspective to "from behind the waterfall looking outward." The vibrant colors represent the brightness and diversity of the external world — changing one's perspective reveals entirely different worlds.
Reiji Hiramatsu
Japanese painter, Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (France)
“Monet's Pond: Butterflies”
Hiramatsu bridges East and West aesthetics, reconstructing Impressionism through Japanese painting techniques. Deeply influenced by Monet, his works are "emotional landscapes" integrating memory, prayer, and Buddhist impermanence — creating sparkling, ornate compositions.
Noriko Tamura
Muralist, Xuanyuan Cup International Award recipient
“Four Seasons Muses”
Four large-scale paintings that gently accompany the elegant flow of time within the ship. Known for her signature warm palette, Tamura creates dignified female figures designed to harmonize with the refined atmosphere of the dining room.
Reiichi Tsuchiya
Japan Art Academy member, Order of the Rising Sun recipient
“Asuka Sky”
Cloud-themed pastel artworks distributed across multiple floors. Each piece depicts clouds at different times of day to express the passage of time within the ship — from dawn to dusk, accompanying passengers as they move through the vessel.
Sohey Iwata
Japanese painter, trained in Ikenobo ikebana
“flower”
Exploring life's cyclical nature through floral imagery, Iwata incorporates the Rimpa school's tarashikomi technique while depicting the flow of life alongside atmosphere and gravity. Flowers represent not just beauty but the deeper meaning of existence.
Shoko Kanazawa
Calligrapher, exhibited at Ise Jingu, Todai-ji, the Vatican & worldwide
“AsukaIII (Ship Calligraphy)”
Internationally renowned calligrapher Shoko Kanazawa created the ship's name with powerful, dynamic brushstrokes at the same scale as the hull nameplate. Her work has been displayed at major temples, presented to the Vatican, and shown in New York, London, and major cities worldwide.
Open Art Competition
AsukaIII also features 126 selected works from an open art competition themed "Traveling Japan's Four Seasons," chosen from over 2,300 entries and judged by the ship's featured artists.
Judged by Reiji Hiramatsu, Hiroshi Senju, Noriko Tamura, Reiichi Tsuchiya, and Kazumi Murose.