Exhibition Outlines

The Sannomaru Shozokan has a large amount of art and craft works presented to the Imperial Household from various countries of the world during the Meiji to Showa periods, and the wide variety in content is one of the characteristics of this collection. In this exhibition, we will focus on craft works of Scandinavia, known well recently as Scandinavian designs, and introduce their charm and features.

The works exhibited include ceramics, glass, metalwork and textiles, all created by skillful craftsmen, including works with famous designers involved. Among these are simple forms with superb design sense, and many are sweet and charming. The beauty of the refreshing glass works seems to make one feel the clear air of Scandinavia. Furthermore, many will probably sympathize with the attitude in creativity utilizing the features of the material, such as the ceramic style with profound serene colors, and the rough texture of clay. These characteristics probably come from the senses of people living receiving the blessings of the vast Scandinavian nature.

We hope our visitors can understand the deep feelings within the craftsmanship along with the refined beauty, through the craft works of the Scandinavian countries which have repeated relations with our country from the beginning of the modern era.