Mingu: Folk Implements - Designs in Everyday Life, Design for Life -

Period: Tuesday, January 5th ～ Sunday, April 13th, 2025
Venue: Feature Exhibition Room 1 - 4
Opening Hours: 9:30am - 5:30pm (last admission: 5:00pm)
Closed: Mondays
Charge:
 ・Adults: 200yen
 ・High school and University students: 150yen
　(No charge for Junior High School Students and younger)

The term “mingu” was coined by Shibusawa Keizo(1896-1963), a well-educated economist, and is a collective term for folk implements and artifacts made or used by the general public for their everyday needs. In other words, it refers to the tools that we have always used in our daily lives.

Folk tools have been devised and improved, with simple shapes and designs in order to make people's lives more comfortable. People have also made everyday items from various natural, locally-sourced materials since ancient times.

However, since the Japanese economic miracle (1955 - 1973), new materials have been developed at a rapid rate, and technology has evolved, replacing traditional folk tools with industrially-made mass-produced goods. Our lifestyles and mindsets have shifted significantly along with these changes.

Now is the time to rethink our way of life by learning from these folk implements. They are filled with the experiential “wisdom of life” of their makers and users and can help us to understand the transition of our culture from ancient to modern times.

This exhibition is introducing a wide variety of materials and uses of folk tools, mainly daily essentials, selected from the museum's collection. In addition, the exhibition is held in collaboration with the Hakata Traditional Craft and Design Museum. Both venues are exhibiting traditionally crafted objects that have been produced for a long time.

Please come and see the new styles and traditions of contemporary craftsmen and artists recommended by the museum.

Exhibits are presented in four categories:

1. Materials and regional characteristics of folk tools

This category displays folk tools by material, such as wood, bamboo, straw, and other plants, as well as introducing unique tools made by various local processes.

【Cylindrical bamboo fishing basket for crabbing】
By grasping the conditions of the river and setting this tool in a place where the crabs are likely to gather, the fishermen used this fishing tackle to catch river crabs. The entrance is designed so that the crabs cannot escape once they are inside.

 

【Rice basket】
This bamboo basket was used to store cooked rice mainly in summer. It is woven to provide better ventilation and to prevent the rice from spoiling. A handle and stand are attached to the basket so that it can be hung or placed under the eaves in a breathable space.

2. Folk tools suitable for daily life

This category introduces folk implements that were used in the living environment, such as cooking and storage tools, as well as those related to fire, which was an important energy source for all aspects of contemporary life.

【Hot-water bottle】

This ceramic hot water bottle was used in Japan approximately 100 years ago.

It was filled with boiling water wrapped in cloth, and placed in a futon to warm the feet and body.

【Bread baking machine】

This bread baking machine was used on top of a small charcoal grill. 

It has two aluminum plates inside, one on the top and one on the bottom.

3. Aesthetic design

This category showcases the designs of the period by displaying clothing and textiles used in a variety of situations, from everyday casual to formal and special occasions.

【Hagitōjin work kimono】

A unique work wear from Tsutsu in Tsushima City, Nagasaki Prefecture, made of more than 40 pieces of scrap cloth, similar to a quilt, with narrow sleeves. It was worn from fall to spring for work in the mountains and sea.

4. Local arts and crafts

This category begins with Noma Yoshio's collections from various regions of Kyushu and continues with the introduction of traditional crafts representing Fukuoka City, such as textiles, dolls, magemono (wooden containers), papier-mâché, spinning tops, okiage, and multi-layer glass. Additionally, there are works by artisans recommended by the Hakata Traditional Craft and Design Museum.

【Helmet made of multi-layer glass】

This beautiful helmet is seen at the Boys' Festival, and is made of multi-layered colored glass, with different qualities. It celebrates a boy's birth and the family's wish for the boy to grow strong.

【Married couples' spinning tops】
This is a pair of decorative spinning tops from Hakata to pray for matrimonial happiness and good health. They originated as part of an acrobatic performance with spinning tops on the tip of a sword or fan.