This museum opened in 1936 in a corner of Tennoji Park. Originally the main residence of the Sumitomo family, complete with its own garden, it was donated to the city of Osaka for the purpose of building a museum. The museum consists of three above-ground and two below-ground floors, including the original main building and a later underground exhibition room. The main building's display rooms host special exhibitions and collection exhibitions. The collection exhibitions feature over 8,500 pieces, including paintings, sculptures, and crafts from Japan and China, as well as works donated by shrines and temples. Many of these pieces have been designated Important Cultural Properties. The Tennoji Gallery (formerly the underground exhibition room) regularly hosts public exhibitions sponsored by various art organizations. The main building also houses an art research institute, where practical research in drawing, painting, and sculpture is conducted. In recent years, the museum has also hosted gallery talks by curators and practical art instruction from experts for elementary and junior high school students.