Exhibit Talk

Kit Kat Craze at Morikami

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KitKats were introduced to Japan in 1973. However, it wasn’t until 1996 that the first flavored KitKat, almond, appeared, followed by strawberry and orange in 1998. In 2005, regional KitKats that featured the unique flavors of various cities and prefectures in Japan became popular, and the number of flavors increased dramatically. Since then, over 100 different flavors have been produced, and the list continues to grow. Japan is famous for its regional specialties, and KitKats are no exception. Our KitKat exhibit features flavors from Hokkaido (the northernmost of Japan’s four …

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From the Speaker: David Jackson on His Japanese Cabinetry Lecture

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If you haven’t had the chance to check out our current exhibit Japanese Design for the Senses, or if you have and you want to learn more, may we suggest making a night of it? Next week, Morikami will host David Jackson, Japanese furniture craftsmen and expert in tansu, for the first lecture of our 2014-2015 Speaker Series. Jackson has spent years studying, writing about and creating Japanese tansu (or storage chests) and Morikami is proud to bring you his lecture on the history, craftsmanship and influence of Japanese furniture …

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Hallowed Trees: The Furniture of George Nakashima

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Guest Blog by Susanna Brooks, Curator of Japanese Art “I’m essentially a druid. I believe that there are ghosts in trees, and in a very deep sense the tree is more God-like than man….There is a spirit in tree, bouncing up and down in the grain of a tree.“ Opening this autumn at Morikami Museum is Japanese Design for the Senses: Beauty, Form, and Function, an exhibition that brings together a wide array of works that explore elements of form in Japanese design. Included in this exhibition are four furniture pieces …

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Guest Post: The Girl with a Cat and Other Paper Tales by Kyoko Hazama

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Today, we’re pleased to present a guest post from our Curator of Japanese Art, Susanna Brooks. If you haven’t yet had a chance to see this awe-inspiring exhibit, we HIGHLY recommend it! It’s the perfect addition to any summer outing, especially when the South Florida weather turns a little sour. Kyoko Hazama may just be Japan’s most imaginative doll paper sculptress. Using traditional Japanese paper (washi) made from the fibers of the bark of a Japanese tree (gampi), shrub (mitsumata), and various plants and grasses (hemp, rice, wheat, bamboo), a …

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Vlogs With Veljko: Growing the Morikami Collections

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From art to armor and everything in between, our collections are full of amazing pieces of both historical and cultural significance. But – have you ever wondered how these pieces come to be part of our 9000-piece collection? In this episode of Vlogs with Veljko, you’ll find out how we keep our collections growing – giving you the opportunity to experience Japan’s amazing culture right here in South Florida. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tkoIRZunaI]