Mitsukoshi kogei Japanese antique exhibition to show superlative techniques

An exhibition of fascinating kogei Japanese antiques from the Meiji Era will be held at Art Gallery, on the sixth floor of the Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store in Tokyo's Chuo Ward, from Aug. 17 to 22.

Admission is free for the exhibition, dubbed "Superlative Techniques: Meiji Era Kogei." Most of the items are openly displayed, so that visitors can examine them directly, rather than through glass cases.

The exhibition will feature about 40 items of kogei, made using the superlative techniques of Meiji artisans who tirelessly honed their renowned techniques of finely decorating katana Japanese swords, kabuto helmets, yoroi armor and other samurai items over generations through the preceding Edo Period.

The superlative techniques, such as metal processing, using seashells, ivory and using melted glass in lacquer ware, are very rare methods that are almost impossible for modern artists to copy due to a lack of qualified mentors handing down the techniques to younger generations.

Until the Edo Period, Japan had enjoyed unique, artistic design in its samurai armor and weapons. As samurai dropped their swords and picked up rifles in the Meiji Era, the artists used their techniques to create luxurious pots, plates and other items, mixing Japanese precision techniques with Western artistic tastes. These became superlative techniques, which later became very rare cultural assets because the artists turned to being manufacturing engineers as Japan entered the Industrial Revolution.

One of the representative items of the exhibition is "Kin-Makie-Shibayama-Kachozu-Kazari-Ki" (Lacquer, silver, ivory and Shibayama-inlaid decorative jar with flowers and a bird design lid). The piece has many superlative techniques combined in a very carefully crafted and detailed design.

Visitors can purchase the items, some of which cost tens of millions of yen.

A gallery talk by Masayuki Murata, director of the Kiyomizu Sannenzaka Museum, will be held at 1 p.m. on Aug. 20. The talk will be in Japanese only.

The exhibition will be open from Aug. 17 to Aug. 22 from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., except the last day when it will close at 5 p.m.