DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN: Investigating Japanese design

The exhibition features research done by eight creators who extol the history of the “design treasures” present in the daily life of different Japanese prefectures.

By JAPAN HOUSE São Paulo

Japan House - 2023

Piano of the research of experience architect Tetsuya Mizuguchi (2023-03-28/2023-06-18) by Japan House São PauloJAPAN HOUSE São Paulo

Eight Japanese creators from different areas of activity have their research brought together in the exhibition ‘DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN: Investigating Japanese design.’ 

Underlining each of the investigations are experiences and stories collected in seven Japanese prefectures visited by internationally renowned creators, such as Akira Minagawa, Reiko Sudo, Tetsuya Mizuguchi, Tsuyoshi Tane, Kenya Hara, Koichiro Tsujikawa, Kumiko Inui, and Kunihiko Morinaga. 

Artifact of the research of textile designer Reiko Sudo (2023-03-28/2023-06-18) by Japan House São PauloJAPAN HOUSE São Paulo

NHK + JH: Global roaming

Organized by NHK, Japan’s public broadcasting system, together with NHK Promotions and NHK Educational, which are companies of the group, the exhibition is part of Japan House’s global roaming project, beginning in São Paulo, moving on to Los Angeles, and then going to London.

“When we think about the Japanese culture, one of the first references that comes to mind is design; however, there is currently no museum dedicated solely to this subject in Japan,” explains NHK’s chief producer Kyoko Kuramori, who is in charge of the exhibition at JHSP.

Exhibition space dedicated to graphic designer Kenya Hara, Japan House São Paulo, 2023-03-28/2023-06-18, From the collection of: JAPAN HOUSE São Paulo
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“In this sense, the exhibition plays an important role in bringing together different items present in the daily life of the Japanese population from the perspective of these renowned creators, which says a lot about timeless aspects of local life, the landscape, and the history of different regions of the country - showing that all it takes is a curious look to find design in almost everything that surrounds us,” says Kuramori.

Highlights of designs across Brazil (2023-03-28/2023-06-18) by Japan House São PauloJAPAN HOUSE São Paulo

Creators and creatures

Most of the creators have, in fact, already been the subject of individual exhibitions or have had their work exhibited at JHSP, as is the case of:

Reiko Sudo (NUNO – Contemporary Textile Poetics), Akira Minagawa (The Art of RAMEN Donburi), Kunihiko Morinaga (ANREALAGE – A LIGHT UN LIGHT), Kenya Hara (Subtle – Subtleties on Paper and Architecture for Dogs), and Tsuyoshi Tane (Tsuyoshi Tane | Archeology of the Future – Memory & Vision) - who signs the expography of the exhibition.

In addition to the spaces dedicated to each of the investigations, including featuring videos produced especially by NHK on the research processes, visitors may also have access a collection of titles about the creators and the topics they address. 

Spinning tops of the research of videomaker Koichiro Tsujikawa (2023-03-28/2023-06-18) by Japan House São PauloJAPAN HOUSE São Paulo

What does design mean for you?

Finally, the exhibition has an interactive section, where visitors are invited to leave their impressions and to contribute with examples present in Brazilian daily life that can be considered true ‘treasures’ of each region of the country.

Coat of the research of fashion designer Kunihiko Morinaga, Japan House São Paulo, 2023-03-28/2023-06-18, From the collection of: JAPAN HOUSE São Paulo
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Piece of pottery of the research of architect Tsuyoshi Tane, Japan House São Paulo, 2023-03-28/2023-06-18, From the collection of: JAPAN HOUSE São Paulo
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Piano of the research of experience architect Tetsuya Mizuguchi, Japan House São Paulo, 2023-03-28/2023-06-18, From the collection of: JAPAN HOUSE São Paulo
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JHSPdrops DMJ





In this edition of the JHSPdrops series, important and influential personalities in different areas of design were invited to comment on the subject of the exhibition. Check it out here.

The chief producer of NHK’s art and culture group and the person in charge of producing the exhibition, Kyoko Kuramori, and the Japanese architect Tsuyoshi Tane, present the concepts of Design Museum Japan and the work of the creators featured in the institution’s new exhibition. Check it out!

Click play and explore the design treasures in Iwate and Amami

Click play and explore the design treasures in Iwate and Amami

Find out more about the exhibition ‘DMJ: Investigating Japanese Design:'

Find out more about the exhibition ‘DMJ: Investigating Japanese Design:'

Credits: Story

Japan House São Paulo
Paulista Avenue, 52
Bela Vista - São Paulo/SP
Phone: +55 11 3090-8900

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The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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