or is a private university in Kodaira, Western Tokyo, founded in 1962 with roots going back to 1929. It is known as one of the leading art universities in Japan. History In October 1929, was founded. In December 1948, it became , and in April 1962, it was renamed Musashino Art University. From its start, the university taught fine art and industrial design; it later added architecture, fashion, and other fields. MAU has exchange agreements with universities in other countries. It has a graduate school that awards master's degrees and doctorates. People associated with Musashino Art University Alumni Michiyo Akaishi, manga artist Ume Aoki, manga artist Kei Aoyama, manga artist Shusaku Arakawa, artist and designer Tetsuo Araki, print artist Taku Aramasa, photographer Yahel Chirinian, sculptor and installation artist Hiroki Endo, manga artist Lily Franky, illustrator, writer, and actor Kenya Hara, graphic designer and art director of Muji Katsuhito Ishii, film director Koji Ishikawa, illustrator Paru Itagaki, manga artist Satoshi Itō (Project Itoh), science fiction writer Kazuo Kamimura, manga artist Miyuki Kobayashi, novelist and scenario writer for manga Satoshi Kon, anime director and manga artist Fusako Kuramochi, manga artist Tomoki Kyoda, anime director Junko Mori, artist and metalworker Ryū Murakami, novelist and filmmaker Joji Nagashima, automobile designer for BMW Yurie Nagashima, photographer Rei Naito, artist Tatzu Nishi, installation artist Shinro Ohtake, painter Rieko Saibara, manga artist Shiori Satō, idol and member of Keyakizaka46 Shūhō Satō, manga artist Soji Shimada, mystery novelist Yuko Shimizu, designer of Hello Kitty Ryoko Suzuki, contemporary artist Keita Takahashi, game designer Yellow Tanabe, manga artist Yukinori Yanagi, contemporary artist Akimi Yoshida, manga artist Teachers Taku Aramasa, photographer Seiichi Hishikawa, filmmaker, art director, and photographer Yurie Nagashima, photographer Yoshiharu Sekino, cultural anthropologist Undifferentiated Yoshihiko Wada, painter References External links Official website Official website 1962 establishments in Japan Art schools in Japan Educational institutions established in 1962 Kodaira, Tokyo Private universities and colleges in Japan Universities and colleges in Tokyo