Yearly Calendar 2012

Kitamura Takeshi, Gold tate-nishiki fabric with connected flower-shaped lozenge pattern
(2008 , private collection)

February 7 (Tue) – April 15, 2012 (Sun)
＊ Closed on Mondays (except March 19, March 26 and April 2)

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Kitamura Takeshi (b. 1935) is designated a Living National Treasure or a holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property for his mastery over the techniques called ra and nishiki (brocade). Equating the formation of textile with expression, Kitamura has used the intricately intertwining warp within the thickness of about one millimeter to produce cloth that impresses us with quiet movement and depth. This show introduces Kitamura’s works spanning his entire career to lead the viewers to the world of woven structure with rich contrast.

Tomimoto Kenkichi, Plate, “Full Moon over the East Gate in Seoul”, underglaze blue
(1934)

April 24 (Tue) – July 16, 2012 (Mon)
＊ Closed on Mondays (except April 3 and July 16)

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In the Taisho period (1912 – 1926) and the early Showa period (1926 – 1989), many Japanese craftspeople crossed the border to the Chinese Continent in search of the origins of, or new possibilities of, crafts. This exhibition considers the footprints and activities of Japanese craftspeople in Asian cities such as Seoul, Beijing and Taipei to be one part of the modern history of Japanese crafts, and explore the realities and the context of their efforts. The show also reflects on Asia as seen by Japanese craftspeople in the early Showa period through the Continental flavor seen in their works.

Hatakeyama Koji, Eight Faces
(2010)

September 15 (Sat) – December 2, 2012 (Sun)
＊ Closed on Mondays (except September 17 and October 8), September 18 and October 9, 2012

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While building on trends in modern crafts and arts, some artists reembrace tradition, ornamentality and materiality with present-day sensibility to enable contemporary form making and individuality. Having become known to the world and receiving international acclaim, their art is gaining a new footing for progression and innovation of Japanese crafts. This exhibition presents 80 recent pieces including ceramics, metalwork and the others to examine contemporary crafts and explore future perspectives.

Hattori Syunsho,Two-fold screen, “Sunshine Reflected on the Water”, yogai raden inlay
(2007)

December 11, 2012 (Tue) – February 11, 2013(Mon)
＊ Closed on Mondays (except December 24, 2012, January 14 and February 11, 2013), December 28, 2012 – January 1, and January 15, 2013

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Lacquerware is so important a genre in Japanese crafts that the English word “japan” means lacquerware. Since its foundation in 1977, the Crafts Gallery has been collecting lacquerware as an important part of our collection. Now our collection of lacquerware comprises 260 pieces. This exhibition presents 100 pieces selected from our collection to introduce the charm of modern Japanese lacquerware from various perspectives.

Moriguchi Kako, Kimono, “Early Spring”, yuzen dyeing on crepe silk
(1955)

February 19 (Tue) – May 6, 2013 (Mon)
＊ Closed on Mondays (except March 25, April 1 and April 8, April 29, May 6, 2013)

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In their efforts to create modern crafts, artist have often drawn, and used as motifs or in ornament, the beauty and form of flowers nurtured by rich nature, using diverse techniques and materials, to develop floral expression of great individuality showing new sensibility. This exhibition presents masterpieces with floral motifs, including ceramics, textiles, metalwork, glasswork and dolls, selected from our collection comprising 3,000 pieces.