Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area, where many folk craft shops are gathered within walking distance
I was guided by Yanagisawa-san and visited select shops in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area.
Kurashiki Museum of Folkcraft Shop
The shop at the Kurashiki Museum of Folkcraft offers not only folk crafts from Kurashiki and Okayama but also folk crafts from all over the country.
There are also reasonably priced items like postcards that can be used in everyday life, giving the impression that there are many things to take home as a memento of visiting the Kurashiki Museum of Folkcraft.
Toutou Kurashiki Museum of Folkcraft South Shop
Toutou is a shop that introduces domestic crafts and operates accommodation facilities.
Kitchenware and other items used in daily life are displayed in the order they are used. The shop has a sophisticated impression with natural light coming in.
Toutou Gallery
Toutou Gallery sells crafts by contemporary artists from various genres.
The products in the store also have a refined impression, making it feel like you are appreciating artworks.
Ikuko Workshop
Ikuko Workshop is a gallery located next to Geibunkan Hall, a little away from the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area. It is a shop that deals with art and crafts, based on the apparel brand "IKUKO," which mainly focuses on women's clothing. They sell a wide range of craft works from well-known artists nationwide to young creators working hard in Okayama.
It has two floors, and it seems that regular exhibitions of craft artists are held on the second floor.
+1GALLERY
+1GALLERY is a gallery located adjacent to the Japanese Folk Toy Museum.
Regular exhibitions of various artists focusing on craft works, including glass, ceramics, dolls, accessories, and interior items, are also held here.
Achi Branch
Achi Branch is a shop located within the Hayashi Genjuro Pharmacy Museum, featuring products made from materials such as paper, fabric, and wood. There are also regular exhibitions in the attached gallery.
While other galleries mainly focus on glass works and ceramics, Achi Branch features many handmade tools that you would want to take outside, such as umbrellas and stationery.
Toworu Mingeiten
The Kurashiki Museum of Folkcraft is a place to "show" folk crafts, while Toworu Mingeiten is a place to "distribute" folk crafts, continuing since 1971. The shop attracts fans from all over the country with numerous works that the owner and former owner have personally sourced.
All items are practical, and there are also reasonably priced options available. The owner provides insights on how to use the items and the thoughts of the creators, giving the impression that you can carefully choose items that fit your lifestyle.
Even works by the same artist vary slightly by shop
In the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area, where several folk craft shops are within walking distance,
it may seem like they are competing with each other, but even works by the same artist vary slightly by shop.
According to the atmosphere of the shop, artists think, "I want to place this kind of work in this shop," so the staff at each shop kindly informs you, "That piece is available at that shop."
After finishing the walk around the select shops, Yanagisawa-san said the following.
"It is very rare to find a town like the Bikan Historical Area, where the Ohara Museum of Art, the Kurashiki Museum of Folkcraft, and unique shops are all gathered in a small area. I think it is a town where you can easily encounter works you want to incorporate into your life, so please enjoy comparing each shop by visiting various stores."
Conclusion
Since coming to Kurashiki, I have been increasingly acquiring tools for daily life from select shops in the Bikan Historical Area.
This seems to be due to the increased opportunities to hear directly from the creators about their thoughts and to learn from those who actually use handmade tools how they incorporate them into their lives, compared to before moving.
This is likely greatly influenced by the regional characteristics of active exchanges with artists who supported and endorsed the folk craft movement since its inception.
After leisurely appreciating the Ohara Museum of Art and the Kurashiki Museum of Folkcraft, why not embark on a journey to find handmade tools that fit your lifestyle while strolling through the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area?
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