Is it the times or my age? Lately, I've been encountering "mingei" (folk crafts) everywhere, both in Japan and the U.S. Many people around me seem to appreciate "utsuwa" (vessels).
To learn more about "mingei," I visited the Japan Folk Crafts Museum. Located in Meguro Ward, the museum's exhibits and architecture are splendid. If you're interested, I highly recommend a visit.
What is "Mingei"?
When talking about mingei, one cannot ignore Yanagi Sōetsu. He is the father of Yanagi Sōri, renowned for designing kitchen tools and the butterfly stool. Sōetsu advocated for "mingei" and led the "mingei movement" to popularize this concept.
According to the Japan Folk Crafts Association's website,
Mingei refers to everyday tools created by unnamed craftsmen. These items possess beauty comparable to fine art, embodying the idea that beauty exists in daily life. Born from various local climates and rooted in daily living, mingei showcases a "wholesome beauty" aligned with utility, presenting a new perspective and value on beauty.
From the Japan Folk Crafts Association's website「民藝とは何か（What is Mingei）」
Instead of reserving items by famous artists for special occasions, mingei encourages the daily use of beautiful tools crafted by anonymous artisans. Using favorite vessels or functional kitchen tools in everyday life is truly wonderful.
These items are not only beautiful but also functional and user-friendly. This brings to mind the "functional beauty" of designs by Yanagi Sōri. Like father, like son.
A novel recommended by a friend, "リーチ先生 (Leach Sensei)" by Maha Harada, depicts the era's atmosphere. It features young Yanagi Sōetsu and British potter Bernard Leach. If you're interested in pottery or mingei, give it a read.
Visiting the Japan Folk Crafts Museum
The Japan Folk Crafts Museum in Meguro Ward became the headquarters for the mingei movement, aiming to spread this new concept of beauty. Yanagi Sōetsu meticulously designed every detail. Both the exterior and interior are captivating.
The collection includes ceramics, textiles, wood and lacquer works, paintings, metalworks, stoneworks, and basketry. Sōetsu selected and gathered these crafts from various times and places, totaling approximately 17,000 items.
Check Out Special Exhibitions
In addition to permanent exhibits, special exhibitions are held periodically. Check the annual schedule on their website.
When I visited in October 2024, there was a special exhibition celebrating the 130th anniversary of Serizawa Keisuke's birth. It showcased designs and collections by Serizawa, known for the popular "Serizawa Calendar" in the U.S. It was truly fascinating.
Japan Folk Crafts Museum
Location: 4-3-33 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo (7-minute walk from the west exit of Komaba-Tōdaimae Station on the Keio Inokashira Line)
Admission: Fee required
Official Website: https://mingeikan.or.jp/ (English)
Nearby Spot to Visit
◉ うつわとカフェ Lim. / Utsuwa to Café Lim
A delightful café on the right side of the path from Komaba-Tōdaimae Station to the Japan Folk Crafts Museum.
Notable Shops Handling Mingei Items Across Japan (Places I've Personally Visited)
光原社 本店 / Kōgensha Main Store (Morioka, Iwate Prefecture)
https://morioka-kogensya.sakura.ne.jp/
仙台光原社 / Sendai Kōgensha (Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture)
https://kogensya.sakura.ne.jp/
cotogoto (Kōenji, Tokyo)
https://www.cotogoto.jp/blog/unq/shop
SML (Nakameguro, Tokyo)
https://sm-l.jp/ (English)
紡ぎ舎 / Tsumugiya (Otari Village, Nagano Prefecture)
https://tsumugiya.jp/
中川政七商店 / Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten (Nationwide, main store in Nara)
https://www.nakagawa-masashichi.jp/shop/default.aspx
Notable Shops Handling Mingei Items on the U.S. West Coast (Places I've Personally Visited)
Tortoise General Store (Los Angeles, California)
https://shop.tortoisegeneralstore.com/
The Good Liver (Los Angeles, California)
https://good-liver.com/
TOIRO (Los Angeles, California)
https://toirokitchen.com/
Canoe (Portland, Oregon)
https://canoe.design/
【Extra Feature】OLD FAITHFUL SHOP (Vancouver, BC, Canada)
https://www.oldfaithfulshop.com/
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