The "MINGEI - Another Kind of Art" exhibition, directed by product designer Naoto Fukasawa, will run from November 2nd to February 24th at 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT in Roppongi, Tokyo.


In 1925, Muneyoshi Yanagi, who focused on the beauty of everyday objects used by ordinary people, first coined the term "mingei" to describe folk crafts made by anonymous artisans. Mingei's distinctive style, which makes use of local climate and customs, has been passed down through generations, and as it has been passed down through the generations, the uniqueness of its materials, colors, processes, uses, and shapes has become apparent, leading to innovative, impulsive, and unconventional ingenuity.

In an age where regional distinctiveness is being lost and attachment to objects is weakening, the pure aesthetic sense and spirituality embodied in folk crafts has a profound impact not only on users but on all those involved in craftsmanship, and can serve as a catalyst for generating new energy.

Blue and white square plate with mesh pattern, Jingdezhen kiln, China, Ming dynasty, 17th century (Collection of the Japan Folk Crafts Museum)
In this exhibition, Naoto Fukasawa, director of the Japan Folk Crafts Museum and director of 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, will introduce over 100 pieces of folk crafts, both old and new, primarily from the museum's collection. "There's an indescribable charm hidden in the works of those who are neither artists nor craftsmen," says Fukazawa. "Honest creators tend to dislike being categorized. When they feel boxed in, they instinctively want to break away. Mingei has a carefree attitude that isn't bound by form or style. It has a freedom that doesn't demand a certain finish. We love, respect, and are moved by Mingei. We don't need information about who the artist is or when and where it was made. We are simply captivated by its charm." The exhibition will also feature exclusive interviews, footage of the production process, photographs that reveal a new side to Mingei, and valuable documents from the time of the Japan Folk Crafts Museum's founding, uncovering "Another Kind of Art" that will serve as inspiration for future designs.