2011年6月23日木曜日

The Splendor of Japanese Export Crafts Exhibition


The other day, I visited TOBACCO & SALT MUSEUM in Shibuya to see the special exhibition “ The Splendor of Japanese Export Crafts”. It was wonderful collection! 

I heard the Meiji Government exported a variety of crafts overseas as a way of obtaining foreign currencies, but I have never seen the real ones.

In the collection, Yosegi writing desk was outstanding.  I have never seen such a big work with Yosegi.

Yosegi, the art of marquetry has a long tradition in Japan. You can see them in Odawara or Hakone in Kanagawa Pref. now. I sometimes buy small pieces such as small boxes, chopsticks, trays etc. for souvenir, but I have never imagined a writing desk covered with marquetry. How gorgeous!

By the way the museum is run by JT.  The admission fee is only 100yen.

It is a small museum, but unique as you can guess from the name.  It is one of the few museums in the world that specializes in tobacco and salt.  There is a nice cafeteria in the ground floor.  If you have a chance to go to Shibuya, it is worth visiting once.


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