Aoki Shigeru was a brilliant painter and is a ray of light in the history of modern Japanese painting. His former residence (where he spent his boyhood and nurtured his great artistic talent) has been overhauled and restored, and is now open to the public. The two-story wooden house has a total floor area is 110.6 square meters (1,190 square feet). It is a silent figure whose plaster walls stand out against the surrounding greenery, and materials and photo panels retracing Shigeru’s life are displayed inside. In the information section, books concerning Aoki Shigeru and art as well as materials on Kurume City’s history and culture are available for visitors to browse at their leisure for a relaxing, productive time. The residence is managed by Aoki Shigeru’s Former Residence Preservation Association, which has continued the preservation movement. At Aoki Shigeru’s Former Residence, flower arrangements are displayed and changed every week. There is also a photo album of prior flower arrangements. Please stop by if you are interested in flowers!