National Crafts Museum
Photo: Takumi Ota
The National Crafts Museum opened in Kitanomaru Park, Tokyo, in 1977 as the Crafts Gallery at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo.
As the only Japanese art museum specialized in crafts and design objects, the museum has continued to publicize and develop the crafts and design culture for more than 45 years including the period when it was known as the Crafts Gallery.
The basic principles of extensively collecting, preserving, studying, and researching different objects from various genres and regions in Japan and overseas have not changed since the museum relocated to Kanazawa, Ishikawa prefecture, in 2020.
Through exhibitions and learning programs, the museum will continue to introduce the fresh appeal of the world of crafts and design from a broad perspective without being preoccupied by form.
As a venue that connects everyone with crafts and design, and the past with the future, the National Crafts Museum presents visitors with a timeless world of plenty.
Welcoming visitors is the digital appreciation system "Welcome to the World of Crafts," which allows you to transcend language barriers and enjoy craftworks intuitively through a touch panel interface. The 2D viewing using high-definition digital images and the 3D viewing, which allows you to see even the bottom parts of each piece, help the viewer to actively appreciate the artworks. A museum's section features the relocated and reassembled studio of MATSUDA Gonroku, a modern lacquer art master who contributed greatly to the development of Maki-e. Here you can experience the world of Japanese crafts while viewing precious video records. Visitors can also freely access the Art Library, which specializes in materials related to modern and contemporary crafts and design.
Photo: Takumi Ota
Photo: Takumi Ota
Photo: Takumi Ota
Main works
SUZUKI Chokichi, Twelve Bronze Falcons, 1893 ［Important Cultural Property］
Expressed through meticulous metalwork, Twelve Bronze Falcons is a masterpiece representative of the Meiji period crafts. SUZUKI Chokichi skillfully brought out the inherent colors of the metal, exquisitely depicting every detail of the falcons. Recent research has revealed that this work incorporates not only traditional metal coloring methods but also innovative techniques. SUZUKI Chokichi's approach of eagerly adopting the latest technologies of his time, in addition to traditional methods, demonstrates that Japanese crafts are not only respectful of tradition but also continue to embrace new challenges.
Photo: S&T PHOTO
Photo: S&T PHOTO
IIZUKA Rokansai, Flower basket, "Anko (angler fish)", 1957
IIZUKA Rokansai is renowned for his innovative bamboo crafts that draw on the tradition of Japanese tea ceremony utensils. The Flower Basket, "Anko (angler fish)", one of his most representative piece, dynamically transitions from bundled weaving to flat weaving while maintaining a neat form at the rim. In this work, IIZUKA Rokansai makes the most of the bamboo's flexibility and strength, pursuing self-expression without being confined to existing ideas. It is considered one of the most important pieces in modern bamboo crafts.
Photo: Oya Takao ©2020
- MIYAGAWA Kozan I, Vases in relief, doves and cherry blossoms design, c.1871-82
- SUGIURA Hisui, The Only Subway in the East Service between Ueno and Asakusa is Started, 1927
- KITAOJI Rosanjin, Bowl, cherry blossoms, red leaves and cloud design, overglaze enamels and gold, 1951
- YAGI Kazuo, Drifting, 1961
- KURODA Tatsuaki, Tea caddy, red lacquered, ridged spiral design, c.1980
- SUDO Reiko, Feather Organdy, 1994
- HATAKEYAMA Koji, Eight Faces, 2010
- IKEDA Terumasa, Tea caddy, “Infinite”, raden inlay, 2022
