Old Noritake Exhibition
The “Old Noritake Exhibition” featuring Meiji-era export porcelain is being held at the gallery space “CRAFT.” in BankPark YOKOHAMA (6 Honcho, Naka-ku, Yokohama). This event is part of the BankPark YOKOHAMA grand opening commemorative projects.
Old Noritake refers to porcelain tableware created during the Meiji period, designed to achieve pure white, durable Western-style tableware that didn’t previously exist in Japan. It features intricate hand-painted decorations created using advanced artisan techniques. These pieces were exported overseas via Yokohama Port.
The exhibition displays tea sets, vases, and small items that showcase the transition from Victorian style to Art Nouveau and Art Deco. The display demonstrates differences in patterns, shaping, and painting techniques through actual pieces. All items are over 100 years old and represent highly valued crafts that were prized in Europe and America, making this a homecoming exhibition to Yokohama.
During the exhibition period, talk events will be held. The researcher is a world-renowned collector representing Japan. They served as the first Japanese president for two consecutive years in the international Old Noritake club “INCC,” based in New York, and owns over 2,000 pieces. Their collection, which covers diverse designs and techniques, is internationally famous and helps promote Old Noritake’s appeal worldwide.
The researcher commented, “The first introduction in Yokohama was in 2004 as part of Yokohama Port’s 150th anniversary events at Sankeien Garden. Yokohama has historically functioned as a shipping hub for porcelain, glass products, and silk textiles since the port opened. This exhibition attempts to overlay regional history with the journey of export porcelain, showing the evolution of production techniques and patterns through actual items.”
The exhibition runs until October 19th. Talks will be held on the 13th, 18th, and 19th at 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM each day. Free admission (no reservation required).
CRAFT. is a complex space featuring a gallery-library that collects craftworks from around the world, a flower shop “CRAFT. Flora Ludique by Hanahiro,” and a dining restaurant “CRAFT. Table” offering food and drinks focused on ingredients and cooking methods. Business hours are 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
The event “Kami JAZZ” featuring jazz performances will be held on October 19th at “Ominomiya Hie Shrine” (5 Sannocho, Minami-ku, Yokohama).
Four groups will perform on the Kagura-den stage: Wajamin (12:10 PM, koto, piano, and bass), Riko Ichikawa & Yoko Suzuki (1:10 PM, vocals and piano), Kenji Ise & Yu Kimura (2:10 PM, saxophone and piano), and Mika Hino with Yoshimi Hirota (3:10 PM, vocals and piano). Each will perform approximately 40-minute live sets. Yoshino Hayashi will appear during the opening from 11:00 AM.
The nearby Toyota Mobility Kanagawa Minami Store (5 Yoshinocho) will serve as a second stage, featuring performances by local groups and organizations, along with hydrogen fuel cell vehicle displays and power demonstrations. During the opening from 11:00 AM, Asa Ki (hand organ) and Akari DUO (vocals and guitar) will perform.
Within the shrine grounds, sacred sake and Kanagawa specialty sake will be sold, featuring six breweries as part of the “Kanagawa Sake Brewery Special.”
The “Ominomiya Marche” will be held simultaneously with vendors including “Yokohama Kimijimaya,” “HIMEMIKOJAPAN,” and “Jazz Cafe Chigusa Preservation Society.” On the road in front of the shrine, food trucks will sell meals like “Salam Kebab” and “The Little Prince’s Stone-baked Sweet Potatoes,” along with miscellaneous goods.
Additionally, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, a walking tour themed “Yoshida Shinden Knot Mystery Solving” will be held. Capacity is 15 people with advance registration required.
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