Ryohin Keikaku (MUJI) organised a project, Life in Art, to spread art (=culture), in particular, “art in everyday life”. Since 2021 when it started, this project has presented exhibitions with different themes each year; “Art” (2021) and “Design” (2022). This year, we are holding a new “Craft” themed exhibition, titled “JAPAN CRAFT”, focusing on daily crafts from all over Japan.

The original form of the Japanese archipelago was formed about 15 million years ago, during the genesis of the Earth. As life continued to evolve, humans, including our ancestors, developed civilisations here. Those of us who live here have been rooted in this land for a long time, and continue to create many types of tools necessary to survive. Looking at this culture in the present time, there are people in each and every region who create new articles through their sensitivity to the climate and to our way of life, and their wisdom when working with materials. The products of their activities have not been handed down through feudal customs and traditions, but are the result of their daily devotion to an obscure borderline area in the field of craftsmanship, one that is not easily grasped.

The exhibition title, “Primordial design – Enlightened by nature ” defines elements of craftsmanship enveloped by the primordial spirit of creation that transcends even the scale of tradition, from a vein of craftsmanship required to create objects for hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of continuous daily uses. This exhibition brings together the works of 104 artists who potentially possess this exact power. We invite you to look at this accumulation of rich wisdom and energy from a broader perspective and with a mind that looks into the future. We hope that awareness of this profound effect that flows beyond civilisation will propagate as a means of rediscovering culture and identity, enhancing value and respecting those involved in creation, and finally, enriching our daily lives.

ATELIER MUJI GINZA