Objects & Symbols

An Object from Japan’s Postwar MomentAt first, it looks ordinary.Two chairs.A small table.Nothing grand. Nothing ceremon...

Munakata Shiko and the Courage to Paint a RoomYou don’t expect this inside a building.Not inside sliding doors.Not insid...

Munakata Shiko’s Fusuma Paintings in KurashikiAt first, you don’t try to read them.You simply stand in front of the pane...

What a Taiko Drum Reveals About Japanese CultureAt first glance, this is just a drum.Wood. Leather. Metal studs.Nothing ...

Japanese traditional crafts often reflect seasonal customs, symbolism, and meticulous handwork.One such example is Hagoi...

Spinning tops can be found in many cultures around the world,but the Japanese koma carries a sense of quietness.Made of ...

Small figures, rich with meaning.Maneki-neko quietly invite luck, harmony, and human connection.

An old shaved ice machine, still in use after many summers.Another Side of Japan: Summer at a Small Shaved Ice ShopWhen ...