Currently, 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT in Roppongi is hosting a special exhibition called "Zakka" (Miscellaneous Goods).

The exhibition focuses on the ambiguity of the definition of "Zakka," a term that exists everywhere in everyday life. It sees "Zakka" as a symbol of the history of Japanese people's lives, who have flexibly accepted diverse lifestyles and new customs over the ages and incorporated various objects into their lives in response to these changes. It takes a bird's-eye view of the environment and sensibilities surrounding zakka as a unique culture on a global level, and reexamines the appeal of their appearance and design.

"This exhibition focuses on the aesthetics of zakka as a category distinct from design, art, and folk art, and discusses its appeal," says exhibition director Naoto Fukasawa, who is also a creator himself. Participating artists and exhibitors include figures from a wide range of fields, including Nagaoka Kenmei + D&DEPARTMENT, Matsunoya, studio note's Norihiko Terayama, Philippe Weisbecker, YAECA's Kyoko Ide, Morioka Tsutomu of Morioka Bookstore, and stylist Okao Miyoko.

The core of this exhibition, "Miscellaneous Goods by 12 Groups," features unique displays of items collected by 12 exhibitors from various fields, including designers, stylists, and store owners, based on their own sensibilities. For example, Morioka of Morioka Bookstore, which sells a single book in Ginza, used the album "Ginza Haccho," which depicts Ginza Nakadori Street in 1954, to display "miscellaneous goods" from his current store, like a diorama. Shinobu Machida, born in 1950, displays a collection of restaurant toothpicks, soy sauce dispensers, and confectionery packaging he's been collecting since elementary school, all packed into a tightly packed space. Tomi Matsuba of Gunendo, who says she "has nothing I want to throw away," has collected miscellaneous items she's chosen from her life in the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine. Ide of YAECA showcases an endless list of her favorite items, which she considers indispensable. "People are tired of things and confused by the rapid pace of time. This time, I deliberately avoided analysis, abolished hierarchy, and decided to display a miscellaneous collection," says Fukazawa. You'll be inspired by the lifestyles and tastes of those who collect these items, and feel a sense of relief as you immerse yourself in nostalgia for things that have sometimes been forgotten. Through Japan's history and cultural background, you'll gain a real sense of how miscellaneous items are deeply rooted in everyday life. An official Sumally account (https://sumally.com/ZAKKA) has also been launched, showcasing some of the miscellaneous items on display at the exhibition.

【Exhibition Information】
"Zakka Exhibition"
Venue: 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT
Address: Tokyo Midtown Garden, 9-7-6 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Dates: February 26th - June 5th
Time: 10:00-19:00 (last admission at 18:30)
Closed: Tuesdays
Admission: 1,100 yen for adults, 800 yen for university students, 500 yen for high school students, free for junior high school students and younger