[Mingei] Beauty of Randomness – Items That Touched Naoto Fukasawa’s Heart

Event Overview

Why are people moved by the unintentional beauty of mingei (folk crafts) that emerges from nature?
Product designer and museum director Naoto Fukasawa selects everyday tools from the museum collection that have inspired and moved him, highlighting the charm of mingei beauty such as “warmth,” “familiarity,” and “loveliness.”
The existence of mingei, which crystallizes the beauty of everyday life, will surely serve as an important touchstone for confirming future “craftsmanship” and “directions for living.”

Naoto Fukasawa Profile

World-renowned product designer / Design master behind MUJI, Maruni Wood Industry, INFOBAR, and more
Naoto Fukasawa was born in Yamanashi Prefecture in 1956 and is a globally acclaimed product designer.
After graduating from the Product Design Department at Tama Art University, he worked on advanced development design at Seiko Epson. Later, he engaged in cutting-edge design centered in Silicon Valley at IDEO (formerly ID Two) in America. He returned to Japan in 1996 and established his own office “NAOTO FUKASAWA DESIGN” in 2003.
His notable works include the wall-mounted CD player for MUJI, the INFOBAR for au/KDDI, and the HIROSHIMA armchair for Maruni Wood Industry, all of which have received high acclaim both domestically and internationally. His works are part of the permanent collections at MoMA (Museum of Modern Art, New York), Victoria and Albert Museum, and Designmuseum Danmark.
He advocates a unique design philosophy called “Without Thought,” pursuing simple and essential product design that focuses on unconscious behavior.
His design work spans across various fields including electronics, daily necessities, furniture, architecture, and mobility, collaborating with more than 70 brands worldwide.
Currently, he serves as the director of the Japan Folk Crafts Museum and vice president of Tama Art University, while also leading numerous projects such as “Super Normal” and “THE DESIGN SCIENCE FOUNDATION.”
He has received many global awards including the Good Design Award, iF Design Award, and Braun Prize. His published works include “Ordinary,” “Naoto Fukasawa EMBODIMENT,” and “Naoto Fukasawa’s Atelier.”

Schedule

March 30 (Sun), 2025 – June 1 (Sun), 2025
10:00-17:00 (Last admission at 16:30)
Closed on Mondays

Admission

General: 1,500 yen
University and high school students: 800 yen

Official URL

Special Exhibition | Japan Folk Crafts Museum

Venue

Access Information | Japan Folk Crafts Museum

Access

4-3-33 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0041
TEL: 03-3467-4527 FAX: 03-3467-4537
7-minute walk from the west exit of “Komaba-Todaimae Station” on the Keio Inokashira Line
15-minute walk from the east exit of “Higashi-Kitazawa Station” on the Odakyu Line