UPCOMING ASIA WEEK NEW YORK EXHIBITION
Mingei Modern
Japanese Ceramics, Aesthetics, and Practice
March 13 – 21, 2025
Opening Reception: Thursday, March 13 from 5-7pm
Asia Week Hours: 11am-5pm, daily (otherwise by appointment)
On the occasion of Asia Week New York, we are delighted to present Mingei Modern, a curated selection of significant ceramic, textile, and painted works by the pioneers of the Mingei Movement in 20th century Japan. Exhibited artists include Kawai Kanjiro, Hamada Shoji, Bernard Leach, Shimaoka Tatsuzo, Murata Gen, Munakata Shiko, Serizawa Keisuke, and others.
Over a century ago, the Japanese term Mingei was a direct translation of “crafts for ordinary people” (minshuteki kogei). Mingei was adopted by philosopher and potter Yanagi Sōetsu to define a now-revered folk-craft movement in Japan that celebrated the beauty of anonymous, utilitarian craftsmanship. The movement values simplicity, humility, and natural grace, challenging the Western focus on individual authorship and historical narrative.
Despite the Mingei Movement’s emphasis on anonymity, its movement has paradoxically elevated figures such as Yanagi Sōetsu, Bernard Leach, Kawai Kanjirō, and Hamada Shōji as its key proponents. This exhibition examines the tension between Mingei’s ideals and its legacy, inviting viewers to closely examine how the ceramic objects of the Mingei Movement embody its philosophy and why their forms remain profoundly beautiful today.
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Latest Acquisitions
View our latest acquisitions of modern and contemporary Japanese ceramics online. Since our beginning in 1989, we have been focused on highlighting museum-quality Japanese ceramics to the contemporary art scene in New York City. The gallery has introduced pieces to the permanent collections of several major museums including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Art Institute of Chicago, Minneapolis Institute of Art, Indianapolis Art Museum, The Princeton University Art Museum, and many more.
Our mission is to bring the timeless grace of modern classics, 20th and 21st century Japanese ceramics, to the world by providing leading expertise to collectors, working with established & emerging artists, and showcasing inspiring exhibitions. We strive towards compassionate and bespoke services to our clientele which includes connoisseurs, collectors, curators, interior designers, and more. We work to connect an international audience to the heart of museum-quality Japanese ceramics & ceramic art.
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About the Gallery
Dai Ichi Arts, Ltd. is a fine art gallery specializing in modern Japanese ceramics. Since 1989, we’ve focused on featuring significant ceramic works in New York’s contemporary art scene, contributing pieces to major museums like The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Art Institute of Chicago, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Princeton University Art Museum, and more. We are committed to providing authoritative expertise to collectors, liaising with artists, and showcasing inspiring exhibitions and artworks. We welcome you to contact us for more information.
