Mingei Arts

Popeyed goldfish are a relatively small member of the carp family (which also includes the Japanese Koi). They were first domesticated more than a thousand years ago, and kept in miniature ornamental ponds and water gardens, just like Koi. The Japanese recognize the Koi family not just for their beauty, but also for their ability to [...]

Oni are creatures from Japanese folklore, variously depicted as demons or devils. They are popular characters in Japanese art, literature and theatre. Oni now, however, have lost some of their original wickedness, and sometimes take on a more protective function, although many villages still hold yearly ceremonies to drive away Oni, particularly at the beginning of [...]

This is a wonderful pair of Creative Kokeshi. Kokeshi are a type of wooden doll made by turning on a lathe like the traditional Kokeshi dolls. The difference is that in general, Sosaku Kokeshi artists were trying to express a new and modern feeling when designing their dolls, breaking away from traditional styles. Both male and [...]

Hotei [布袋] translated means “replenishment”, and comes from the treasure bag (Nunokukuro), that Hotei carries which is a symbol of inspiration and nourishment. Hotei is often depicted as an amply-proportioned bald man wearing a robe, and almost always shown smiling or laughing. Hotei is admired for his happiness, plenitude, and wisdom of contentment, and illustrates his [...]

The Japanese macaque lives throughout Japan, with a range covering subtropical lowlands to sub alpine regions where the snow monkey resides. The Japanese macaque has a human-like, naked, red face with very expressive eyes. They use all four legs to get around, but will also walk just on their hind legs when they’re holding something [...]

This wonderful Zougan (Marquetry) trinket box with mirror came from Hakone-machi, Ashigara-Simo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture. In the latter years of the Edo period, craftsmen combined the exotic woods grown in the Hakone Mountain with traditional mosaic work, precisely utilizing the trees’ grain, and bark and think planking. The main woods used in this specific marquetry process [...]

Lacquerware (shikki) or nurimono (coated things) is a traditional method of finishing wooden pieces in Japan. Many steps are taken to refine and prepare the lacquer, and even more intricate steps are taken to create/finish/ornament many exquisite objects. With the use of gold decoration (maki-e), the final coat is a high-gloss lacquer.  This beautiful antique [...]

According to legend, Taiko was started by Ame no Uzume, a shamen-like female deity. One day, fed up with her naughty younger brother, the sun goddess, Amatersu Oomikami, hid herself in a cave. The world became pitch dark and the other deities tried to appease Amatersu, so that world be bright again. They held a [...]