Exhibition "Yoshida Shoya's Design - The Future Envisioned by the New Folk Craft Movement"
Yoshida Shoya (1898-1972) was a physician who dedicated his life to the mingei (folk craft) movement as a producer, designing everyday items, and establishing production, distribution, and sales systems for folk crafts.
Yoshida resonated with the mingei movement advocated by Yanagi Muneyoshi (1889-1961). After opening his medical practice in Tottori in 1931, he gathered craftsmen specializing in ceramics, woodwork, dyeing, weaving, Japanese paper, and metalwork to create "everyday items suitable for modern life."
This exhibition introduces Yoshida Shoya's "New Folk Craft" designs, which aimed to root traditional handicrafts in contemporary living. A total of 297 works and materials will be displayed, including ceramics, furniture, textiles, and more.
Highlights
From tableware to lamp shades, chairs, neckties, baskets, bread knives, and even squid ink - a complete array of items you'll want to incorporate into your daily life!
With a total of 297 works and materials (including normally non-public items), this is the largest-ever Yoshida Shoya exhibition that mingei enthusiasts cannot miss.
Main Works on Display
※All works designed by Yoshida Shoya
Related Events
Lecture "Yoshida Shoya's Craftsmanship" [Reservation Priority, Capacity 90]
Date: March 14 (Sat), 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Participation Fee: Free (exhibition admission required)
Mariko Ozaki from the Tottori Folk Crafts Museum will introduce highlights of the works "produced" by Yoshida Shoya, unraveling his work process through historical materials.
Talk Show "The Work of Bringing Handicrafts to Today's Lifestyle" [Reservation Priority, Capacity 90]
Date: May 23 (Sat), 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Participation Fee: Free (exhibition admission required)
Toru Nihei, who operates "pejite," a select shop dealing with contemporary handicrafts, and "Nihei Antique Furniture Store," connecting old furniture to new owners, will share insights about engaging with handicrafts and tips for incorporating them into daily life.
Workshop "Spring Color Palette - Dyeing Fabric Items with Plants" [Reservation Required, Capacity 15 per session / Lottery]
Date: April 11 (Sat), 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Morning Session), 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM (Afternoon Session)
Participation Fee: 3,000 yen (exhibition admission required)
With textile creator unit futashiba248 as instructors, this workshop uses spring plants harvested in Ibaraki Prefecture to dye fabric items. You can choose your dyeing plants (2 types) and what to dye (handkerchief or drawstring bag). Includes a surprise novelty gift.
Other events include "Gallery Tours by Curators" and "Storytelling Events."
For details and registration for each event, please check the exhibition official website (Events section).
Exhibition Details
Exhibition "Yoshida Shoya's Design - The Future Envisioned by the New Folk Craft Movement"
Period: March 14 (Sat) to June 21 (Sun), 2026
Venue: Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum, B1F Exhibition Room, 2F Prefectural Gallery
Opening Hours: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:30 PM)
Closed: Every Monday (However, open on May 4), May 7 (Thu)
Admission Fees:
◆General: 950 yen (770 yen)
◆Age 70 and over: 470 yen (380 yen)
◆High school students: 710 yen (590 yen)
◆Elementary and junior high school students: 360 yen (290 yen)
※Prices in parentheses are group rates for 20 or more people.
※Free admission for high school students and younger on Saturdays (except March 28 and April 4).
※Free admission for visitors with physical disability certificate, rehabilitation certificate, mental health and welfare certificate, or designated intractable disease medical expense beneficiary certificate, and one accompanying person per visitor.
※Free admission for visitors age 70 and over on: March 28 (Sat), May 30 (Sat)
Organizers: Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum, NHK Mito Broadcasting Station, NHK Promotions
Production Cooperation: NHK Enterprises Chubu
Special Cooperation: Tottori Folk Crafts Museum
Supporters: Kasama City, Asahi Shimbun Mito Bureau, Ibaraki Shimbun, Sankei Shimbun Mito Branch, Tokyo Shimbun Tsukuba Branch, Mainichi Shimbun Mito Branch, Yomiuri Shimbun Mito Branch, LuckyFM Ibaraki Broadcasting
Website: https://www.tougei.museum.ibk.ed.jp/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toubikasama/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/100054190363041
X: https://x.com/ceramic_art_mus
Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum
A museum located within Kasama Art Forest Park, where visitors can enjoy walks and picnics.
Focusing on ceramics and broader craft themes including glass and textiles, the museum hosts exhibitions introducing various works from Japan and abroad. The permanent collection showcases masterpieces of modern and contemporary ceramics. Visitors can also appreciate large-scale sculptural works by contemporary ceramic artists installed in the museum lobby, atrium, and other spaces.
