The Japan Folk Crafts Museum in Meguro, Tokyo, is hosting a special 80th anniversary exhibition, "Muneyoshi Yanagi and Artists of the Mingei Movement," through March 26th. The museum was founded by Muneyoshi Yanagi, who focused on the beauty of everyday objects used by the common people, something that had previously been overlooked. To commemorate its 80th anniversary, this exhibition features works by artists who led the Mingei Movement alongside Yanagi, including Kanjiro Kawai and Shoji Hamada, as well as Bernard Leach, Keisuke Serizawa, and Shiko Munakata. The exhibition also features works by subsequent artists, including Motohiko Katano, Michitada Funaki, Tatsuaki Kuroda, Yoshitaka Yanagi, Jiro Kinjo, Shigeo Suzuki, Kichiemon Okamura, Tatsuzo Shimaoka, Seijiro Takeuchi, Samiro Yunoki, and Kenji Funaki. Yanagi's books, manuscripts, and related publications are also on display, showcasing the work of artists inspired by Mingei aesthetics throughout the museum. Room 1 on the first floor, titled "The Work of Yanagi Muneyoshi," showcases Yanagi's book designs, related books, and short poems expressing his own feelings. Room 2, titled "The Work of Bernard Leach," features poetic prints and drawings by Leach, an Englishman who spent his childhood in Japan and began making pottery after returning to the country and becoming friends with Yanagi and others. Room 3, titled "The Work of Yunoki Samiro," introduces the diverse works of Yunoki, who became a dyer inspired by Yanagi's ideas and Serizawa's works.

Also, Room 1 on the second floor, titled "The Work of Serizawa Keisuke," showcases the works of Serizawa, who was deeply impressed by Yanagi's "The Way of Crafts." Room 2, titled "The Work of Kawai Kanjiro," will showcase Kawai's colorful glazing, which saw him transform his style from elaborately crafted pieces to one focused on practicality after becoming friends with Yanagi. Room 3, titled "The Work of Munakata Shiko," will showcase representative works by Munakata, whose friendship with Yanagi deepened after his works were purchased by the Japan Folk Crafts Museum, from the period of their interaction. Room 4, titled "The Work of Hamada Atsushi," will showcase tableware such as bowls, pots, and earthenware teapots by Hamada, who met Yanagi through Leach.

※The official spelling of the "kei" in Serizawa Keisuke's name is with a gold radical and two earth radicals

【Exhibition Information】
"Yanagi Muneyoshi and the Artists of the Mingei Movement"
Venue: Japan Folk Crafts Museum
Address: 4-3-33 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
Dates: January 8th - March 26th 2017
Hours: 10:00 - 17:00 (last entry at 16:30)
Admission: 1,100 yen for adults, 600 yen for high school and university students, 200 yen for elementary and junior high school students
Closed: Mondays (however, the museum will be open on national holidays and closed the following day)