Celebration of Mingei - Journey Through Japan

A Note on Collecting

A Note on Collecting

Folk Art can do more than brighten one’s life. The market has become one of the hottest investment crazes in recent years. Collectors frequently buy pieces to add interest to their living environm...

Seven Lucky Gods ‘Shichifukujin’ on their New Years Treasure Ship

Seven Lucky Gods ‘Shichifukujin’ on their New Years Treasure Ship

Japan’s Seven Lucky Gods or Seven Gods of Good Fortune, ‘Shichifukujin’, appear as a collection of good-natured and helpful deities. Although worshiped individually in the Japanese tradition, they ...

The Evolution of KOGEI

The Evolution of KOGEI

In Japan the term "Kogie" meant art that couples form and function, bringing beauty to every creation no matter what its purpose. In this blog we're showcasing the evolution of the various categori...

The Role Played by Ukiyo-e Through Delightful Omocha-e Woodblock Prints in Education of Children

The Role Played by Ukiyo-e Through Delightful Omocha-e Woodblock Prints in Education of Children

The Edo period saw educational opportunities for aristocratic and samurai families, as well as in later periods for the children of merchants, artisans, and farmers in theatre, private institutions...

Vanishing Japanese Toys Immortalized  in the Woodblock Print

Vanishing Japanese Toys Immortalized in the Woodblock Print

The little known genre of Japanese wood and paper toys has been depicted in twentieth century Japanese prints, which substantiates their importance to the world of adults and children of the period. 

Kidults and the Japanese  Antique / Vintage  Toys

Kidults and the Japanese Antique / Vintage Toys

Kidults, (young adults who are now seeing the value in collecting vintage toys), belong to an emerging group of collectors who have been aggressively buying toys and collectibles for which they ha...