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‘Japanese Design Today 100’: From classic products to modern marvels
The exhibition showcases the 100 best designs Japan has to offer, ranging from the iconic Nikon F series camera to the Shinkansen bullet train.
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Bent Wood Cycle Type-01 children's balance bike by Works Guild Japan. (The Japan Foundation/-)
T
he bottle of Japanese soy sauce Kikkoman may look simple, but it perfectly captures Japan’s great attention to detail. The clear glass bottle makes the contents visible, and its broad base provides stability. The clever spout on its red lid enables us to pour a precise amount of soy without leaving any drips on the table.
The iconic bottle was developed in 1961 by Kenji Ekuan, who went on to create other iconic Japanese designs like Yamaha pianos and motorcycles, and the Shinkansen high-speed train.
“Design is a source of life enhancement,” the late industrial designer once said.
The “Japanese Design Today 100” exhibition, running from Sept. 13 to 29 at the National Gallery in Jakarta, shows just that. From the Kikkoman soy sauce bottle to the motorcycle, the exhibition shows the significant influence of Japanese designs in shaping the lives of people in Japan and beyond.
Since its initiation in 2004, the “Japanese Design Today 100” exhibition has toured around the globe, showcasing Japanese products, mostly household items, with the best designs.
The Jakarta exhibition, organized by The Japan Foundation, presents the updated collection selected by design critic and art professor Hiroshi Kashiwagi, curator Masafumi Fukagawa, design director Shu Hagiwara and journalist Noriko Kawakami.
