iThe National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto (MoMAK)Okazaki
Reflections in Jewellery: Memory and Identity
About 350 pieces tracing post-war Japanese art jewellery, from the JJDA founders to contemporary makers, with works by Otto Künzli and others.
More in Kyoto
Gold and silver share the cases with acrylic and cardboard here. You lean in to Otto Künzli's gold-bar brooch and find it is made from a Swiss chocolate box. The museum has gathered about 350 pieces by more than 70 artists, from rings and brooches to pieces worn on the head or nose.
The show follows Japanese art jewellery from the Japan Jewellery Designers Association, founded in 1964, and the International Jewellery Arts Exhibition (1970 to 1986) through to makers working now. It includes a large presentation of the Hiko Mizuno College of Jewelry collection, and masterworks returning to Japan from Germany after 50 years. Treat it as your jewellery drawer at full scale, where a grandmother's ring sits next to a Daiso earring and both stay.
Tickets for the 3rd-floor show cost 2,000 yen, or 1,800 yen on Fridays after 18:00, and wearing jewellery you like takes 100 yen off a same-day ticket. Open 10:00 to 18:00, Fridays until 20:00; closed Mondays except 23 November and 11 January.
Editor's pick
Gold and silver share the cases with acrylic, cardboard and Gijs Bakker's necklace of photo paper. About 350 pieces by more than 70 makers trace Japanese art jewellery from 1964 to now, including works back from Germany after 50 years.
Look for
Ishikawa Mari, Love makes blind (1999)
A silver ring that reads as a heart or an infinity sign depending on the angle, with "I love you" written across it in braille in five languages.
Ted Noten, Chisaka's Bag (2006)
A ring sealed in acrylic resin shaped like a handbag, made after the owner's wife died from the ring she wore, with a handle taken from her own bag.
Shinzato Akiko, Another Skin (2015)
A head and nose piece in gold-plated brass and Swarovski crystals, made to change the shape of the wearer's face, from her research on looks and self-confidence.
Gijs Bakker, Dewdrop (1982)
A necklace made of photo paper and acrylic, a long way from gold.
Good for
- Evening Visits
- Nerding Out
With kids
Junior high school students and younger get in free (bring ID). On 19 December a family day welcomes families with small children, no booking needed.
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Image credits
7
- Reflections in Jewellery: Memory and IdentityCourtesy of The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto (MoMAK)
- Kyoto University Museums Feature 7: The University Is a Treasure Box, Handcraft GatheringCourtesy of Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design
- Tradition Meets Today #7Courtesy of Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design
- The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto (MoMAK)Wiiii / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Kyoto Museum of Crafts and DesignAsturio Cantabrio / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of ArtKakidai / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Hosomi MuseumAsturio Cantabrio / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0