Monocle on Design What is ‘Hyakkō’? A deep dive into Japan’s thriving craft scene with curator Nagata Takahiro
18 snips
Mar 31, 2026 Nagata Takahiro, a Tokyo-based curator who compiled the Hyako survey of contemporary Japanese makers. He describes visiting artisans across Japan and the exhibition’s layout and lighting. They discuss the coined term Hyako, a 31-word glossary that frames makers’ values. Conversation covers everyday utility, mingei revival and how materials and craft give objects a living spirit.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Two Years Traveling To Meet 100+ Makers
- Nagata Takahiro visited makers in small workshops, city flats and garden sheds during two years of research for the Hyako exhibition.
- He met each artist face to face, contacting many via Instagram and visiting two to three makers per day on monthly trips.
Exhibition Design Forces Close Looking
- The exhibition arranges over 2,000 handmade objects on plywood stands like a river to let visitors scan both the national sweep and fine details.
- Dimmed lighting and targeted lines draw people closer to each maker so viewers can see brushstrokes and imperfections up close.
Hyako As A Multiplicity Term
- Nagata coined Hyako from kanji combining the sense of '100' or 'many' and 'making/skill' to capture multiplicity of contemporary practice.
- The term purposely spans design, art, mingei and antiques to avoid narrow definitions.