Celebration of Mingei - Journey Through Japan


Our Focused Dives represents stories and sub-stories based on the life and culture of the Japanese people, and it also projects our experiences forward with a mixture of history and folk lore; an examination of underlying assumption; and in some cases, projects potential change as the culture continues to evolve.

We, the authors, are solely responsible for the interpretation of information gathered through our research on the various subjects included in our Blog. As such, the contents of our writings cannot be considered the ‘be-all, end-all’ voice on the subject. Images of antique and vintage pieces are from our inventory sold in our Carmel Gallery, (1998-2009), currently listed on our mingeiarts website, or in our archives.




Kojiki Kojiki

Kojiki

The Kojiki (A Record of Ancient Matters) is not only a written document but celebrates the 'Age of the Gods' when the Japanese people formulated the believe that the Japanese paradise was created, and the Gods ruled before withdrawing to leave...

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The Immortal Mountain and the Lake of the Lute | Fuji Yama and Biwa-ko The Immortal Mountain and the Lake of the Lute | Fuji Yama and Biwa-ko

The Immortal Mountain and the Lake of the Lute | Fuji Yama and Biwa-ko

Of all the beautiful objects in “the land of the holy gods,” as the Japanese call their country, none are more beautiful than Fuji Mountain and Lake Biwa. This beautiful sacred mountain is a graceful and perfect conical symmetrical form topped...

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Vintage Japanese Spiritually Inspired Kokeshi and Figures | “Creating Images to Nourish Thought” Vintage Japanese Spiritually Inspired Kokeshi and Figures | “Creating Images to Nourish Thought”

Vintage Japanese Spiritually Inspired Kokeshi and Figures | “Creating Images to Nourish Thought”

Wooden lathe-turned Shinto, Buddhism and Zen Buddhist Kokeshi are treasured and revered because their sacred religious optimism through emphasized simplicity and the importance of the natural world generating a distinctive aesthetic, which is expressed by the terms wabi and sabi. Each of these hand-painted and crafted amorphous concepts are infused in expressing a sense of rusticity, melancholy, loneliness, naturalness, and the passing of time.

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Momotarō / The Boy and the Peach Momotarō / The Boy and the Peach

Momotarō
The Boy and the Peach

This tale is supposedly taking place in the city of Okayama, where one can today taste very good peaches, and especially Kibi Dango, (Peach Dumplings), and where we are told there is a mysterious cave, whose legend says it was dug...

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The Spirit and Magic of Woodcraft in Japan / The Woodworker’s Companion The Spirit and Magic of Woodcraft in Japan / The Woodworker’s Companion

The Spirit and Magic of Woodcraft in Japan
The Woodworker’s Companion

In Japan, nature, religion, and society are deeply intertwined. Nowhere is this more evident than in the mind of the woodworkers and lathe-turners, whose philosophical and spiritual beliefs are at the heart of their craft. Japanese Folk Art has long...

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Tsuru / Japanese Mythology and Culture Tsuru / Japanese Mythology and Culture

Tsuru
Japanese Mythology and Culture

 Tsuru, (The Crane), has always been a strong symbol of success and good fortune in Japanese culture, and when folded into origami, it is believed that one’s “heart's desire” will come true. Tsuru no Ongaeshi  The Grateful Crane/The Crane’s...

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Japan and the Sea / Acquatic Life and Folk Lore in Japanese Art Japan and the Sea / Acquatic Life and Folk Lore in Japanese Art

Japan and the Sea
Acquatic Life and Folk Lore in Japanese Art

The waters that surround the islands of Japan and flow from its mountain ranges to form rivers and lakes, host animal life that have sustained humans since prehistoric times. In Japan, Ocean Day, (Umi no Hi), is a holiday to give...

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Japanese Master of Illusion Japanese Master of Illusion

Japanese Master of Illusion

The fox-like Tanuki, (Japanese raccoon dog), appears often in Japanese folklore, and are real animals with a reputation for mischief and magic, known as masters of illusion.  The Tanuki does have a rather malevolent past, and is said to be ...

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Kaeru / Japanese Creation of Myth Kaeru / Japanese Creation of Myth

Kaeru
Japanese Creation of Myth

Frogs have been represented for centuries in a variety of cultures as unique symbols, playing important roles in myth, folklore, fairytales, drawings, paintings, and sculptures. In Japan, the frog, (kaeru), is symbolic of fertility and good fortune, and as the...

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Japan's Antique Segemono Paraphernalia / Fashionable Smoking Implements Japan's Antique Segemono Paraphernalia / Fashionable Smoking Implements

Japan's Antique Segemono Paraphernalia
Fashionable Smoking Implements

It is not clear when tobacco was first introduced to Japan, but soon after the arrival, the custom of smoking seems to have spread quickly throughout the country. Kyoto planted tobacco seeds and inhaling smoke of its eaves became popular...

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Japanese Miniatures / Tiny Goodwill Ambassadors Japanese Miniatures / Tiny Goodwill Ambassadors

Japanese Miniatures
Tiny Goodwill Ambassadors

The Japanese have always understood “crafts” or “applied art”, particularly as related to miniature carvings and three-dimensional forms in the areas of ceramics, metalwork, textiles, woodwork, lacquer, basketry, paper, etc.). The Japanese have also valued the craftsmen as unique individuals...

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Tsukino Usagi – The Moon Rabbit / “Beautiful Center of Water” Rabbits: Selfless and Making Mochi on the Moon Tsukino Usagi – The Moon Rabbit / “Beautiful Center of Water” Rabbits: Selfless and Making Mochi on the Moon

Tsukino Usagi – The Moon Rabbit
“Beautiful Center of Water” Rabbits: Selfless and Making Mochi on the Moon

The Japanese  Folklore about the Rabbit and Its Relationship to the Moon  According to legend, an old man who lived on the moon decided to visit Earth. A group of animals saw what they thought was an old beggar who...

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Maneki Neko / The Japanese Beckoning Cat Maneki Neko / The Japanese Beckoning Cat

Maneki Neko
The Japanese Beckoning Cat

There has been an increase recently in Japan in the number of people who have cats and their related items. It is said to be a boom for collectors of this type of craft. However, way before this recent surge,...

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The Craft of the Japanese Bako / A Box Needs a Purpose The Craft of the Japanese Bako / A Box Needs a Purpose

The Craft of the Japanese Bako
A Box Needs a Purpose

The Box Firstly, in Japan, the box carries great importance, and is treasured and not to be thrown away. Wrapping and boxing in Japan is a very serious business. The box for most artwork is a work of art in...

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The Scholar’s Calligraphy Tools / Brush Pot, Brush Washer, Inkstone, and Brush The Scholar’s Calligraphy Tools / Brush Pot, Brush Washer, Inkstone, and Brush

The Scholar’s Calligraphy Tools
Brush Pot, Brush Washer, Inkstone, and Brush

Historically, most of the Japanese scholars, who were highly educated male calligraphers, practiced the art of ink painting, an early form of brush painting that only used black ink in different concentrations to produce fine quality art work. In Japan,...

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Chinese Shiwan Art Pottery / Folklore and Artistry Chinese Shiwan Art Pottery / Folklore and Artistry

Chinese Shiwan Art Pottery
Folklore and Artistry

 Importance and Poetic Appreciation | Chinese Shiwan Ware Shiwan Art Pottery, also known as Shekwan ware, is an important part of the Chinese traditional culture. Ceramic wares have a long history of reflecting the customs of this ancient culture. This...

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Kogo / Incense Containers Open the Atmospheric Paths of Creativity & Socialization Kogo / Incense Containers Open the Atmospheric Paths of Creativity & Socialization

Kogo
Incense Containers Open the Atmospheric Paths of Creativity & Socialization

Kogo is a Buddhist tea and altar accessory, refers to a small, lidded container for incense, which is placed in the Kogo before making tea, in order to burn incense in a hearth when preparing the water for tea. Three...

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Buddha Artisanal Monks Japan Buddha Artisanal Monks Japan

Buddhist Monk Craftsmen
In Service of the Temple

Monks not only preside over the important events in a person's life but work to support the temple for which they are associated. Since the earliest times of Buddhism, the Buddhist monk has played a central role in both spiritual...

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Japanese Traditional Metalwork Japanese Traditional Metalwork

Japanese Traditional Metalwork
Artisans & Craftsmanship

Specialist craftsmen of Japan started to create their own appreciation of materials and objects, honing and perfecting the already traditions of Folk Art which were started by common people in their drive to make both functional and beautiful objects. At...

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Japanese Tree Root and Bamboo Carving Japanese Tree Root and Bamboo Carving

Japanese Tree Root and Bamboo Carving
Flower, Ikebana, Aesthetic Sculpture Tree

Tree Root and Bamboo carving is a traditional art in Japan, and has a long history among the Folk Art carvers and practitioners specifically focused on supporting Ikebana, displays of precious artwork, and objects that have a practical utility such...

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Japanese Farm Family Japanese Farm Family

The Japanese Farm Family
Mother, Oshin & Child

How parents raise their children is one of the main ways that culture and tradition are conveyed from generation to generation. When we generalize and say that the Japanese act a particular way, we’re talking about habits and attitudes that...

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Japanese Folk Arts, Symbolism, and Society Japanese Folk Arts, Symbolism, and Society

Japanese Folk Arts, Symbolism, and Society

Japanese society, and particularly women and the older population, has been represented in sculpture throughout Japanese history. Depiction of religious traditions and attitudes about all age levels of society has been a major source of visual representations of traditional beliefs,...

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O-choko Traditional Japanese Sake Cups O-choko Traditional Japanese Sake Cups

O-Choko
Overview of Traditional Sake Vessels

Overview of Sake Sake is a traditional alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice. Sake is a traditional alcoholic beverage in Japan. Sake is a staple food in Japan and an integral part of the Japanese lifestyle and culture. The traditional...

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Lacquerwork / An Important Intangible Ancient Art Lacquerwork / An Important Intangible Ancient Art

Lacquerwork
An Important Intangible Ancient Art

Throughout Japan, woodworkers produce beautiful lacquerware pieces, which include some of the most prized utilitarian and decorative objects coveted by the Japanese people. The Japanese are known for their carving and lacquer work, which is exceptional, and is one of...

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