Carefully crafted goods developed through “Japan Heritage × Souvenirs”
Why did the Kurashiki Archaeological Museum and Kurashiki City decide to work together to create goods?
Fujiwara (honorifics omitted)
Kurashiki City and the museum have a partnership agreement, so we had been thinking about whether there was something we could do together.
We thought that if we could make goods, they could help attract visitors to the Kurashiki Archaeological Museum and provide an opportunity for people to learn about its strong connection to Japan Heritage.
It was our first initiative, but after just under a year from the planning stage, we made it through to development and sales.
We believe this new approach will allow us to share the connection between Kurashiki and Japan Heritage.
Ban (honorifics omitted)
The Kurashiki Archaeological Museum exhibits many excavated artifacts related to Japan Heritage.
Visitors looking at the exhibits often asked us, “How do I get to the Tatetsuki Site?”
We thought that having goods would make it easier to introduce Japan Heritage in an accessible way and give directions to the Tatetsuki Site.
What led you to choose these five items?
Ikeda (honorifics omitted)
As souvenirs, we considered “what kinds of products would be easy to pick up” and “whether we could sell items of high quality,” and settled on these five.
These goods were made with the help of many people, including not only us but also people involved in community activities and local production companies.
Tenugui and pen holders are classic souvenirs, and masking tape is also easy to pick up on a whim.
In particular, I thought the tenugui could also promote cotton, part of Kurashiki’s Japan Heritage.
We decided to make smartphone cases a featured product in collaboration with local people.
We had many more ideas during the planning stage, but these five were selected after considering demand and other factors.
Tell us what you paid particular attention to.
Ban
I hand-drew all of the initial drafts.
Since we were making them, I wanted to bring Japan Heritage to life in the goods.
I showed my drafts to the designer who would turn them into products, explained the details I cared about, and we completed the designs.
I think we were able to incorporate into the designs the subtle charms of the ruins and buildings that you might not notice just by looking at them normally.
So all the designs are hand-drawn!
Ban
That’s right. I wanted to give them a handmade warmth, so I drew them by hand!
It took quite a while, but I think we were able to recreate them realistically (laughs).
For the museum tenugui, the “raised roof” section is the key detail.
These are quite niche details, so most people won’t notice them just by looking at the goods.
But I think that being able to explain them while showing the goods will also deepen people’s knowledge of Japan Heritage.
The smartphone case design is also detailed, but it was all hand-drawn at first.
We went to see the actual object about four times.
You can’t usually see it from above, so they let us take a special look.
We took photos, worked on the design to a certain extent, then looked at the actual object and removed lines that were too fine.
The actual pattern is much more complex.
Including every detail would make it hard to see, so we designed it to look natural.
These goods are full of thoughtful details. Finally, could you share a message with us?
Ikeda
The Kurashiki Archaeological Museum is located where the stories of cotton, part of Kurashiki’s Japan Heritage, and the heritage of ancient Kibi intersect.
We created these goods to provide an opportunity to share Japan Heritage anew at the Kurashiki Archaeological Museum, a central site for Japan Heritage among the many such sites in Kurashiki.
We have put together a range of goods that are easy to pick up as souvenirs.
They are available exclusively at the Kurashiki Archaeological Museum, so we hope you’ll pick up anything that catches your eye.
And we’d be delighted if they help you remember the connection between Kurashiki and Japan Heritage in familiar places like your home or office.
From the Writer
The museum’s goods are all classic souvenirs.
Imagine finding out that something you happened to pick up is actually connected to Kurashiki and Japan Heritage…
Wouldn’t you feel like bragging about it?
When you visit the museum, the staff, including Ms. Ban, will surely tell you about the connection between Kurashiki and Japan Heritage.
After hearing their stories, you’ll be able to enjoy a deeper kind of sightseeing, beyond simply admiring the streetscape of the Bikan Historical Area.
Above all, the goods themselves are remarkably faithful recreations of Japan Heritage!
They’re goods crafted with attention to even the tiniest details in the patterns.
They were all the kind of things you’d want to pick up and examine closely.
If you’re looking for a souvenir unique to Kurashiki but want something a little different, be sure to visit the museum.
Articles about the Kurashiki Archaeological Museum
Kurashiki Archaeological Museum Information
| Name | Kurashiki Archaeological Museum |
|---|---|
| Location | 1-3-13 Chuo, Kurashiki City |
| Contact | 086-422-1542 |
| Parking | None None |
| Opening hours | 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (admission reception until 4:30 p.m.) |
| Closed | Monday, Tuesday Open on public holidays Closed during the year-end and New Year holidays |
| Admission (tax included) | Adults: ¥500 (groups: ¥400) High school and university students: ¥400 (groups: ¥320) Elementary and junior high school students: ¥300 (groups: ¥240) People with disabilities: ¥240 Preschool children: Free *Groups are 20 or more people *Fees may change for special and temporary exhibitions *The disability discount requires presentation of a disability certificate (applies to the person with the disability and up to one accompanying person) |
| Payment methods |
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| Reservations | Available |
| Smoking | Entire facility is non-smoking |
| Restrooms | Western-style toilet |
| Website | Kurashiki Archaeological Museum |
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