"Teacup Merry-Go-Round: 100 Years of Modern Design in European Ceramics" to be Held at Bizen City Museum of Art from July 4 (Sat)

Bizen City Museum of Art (Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture) will hold the exhibition "Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Gifu Collection: Teacup Merry-Go-Round - 100 Years of Modern Design in European Ceramics" from July 4 (Saturday) to September 27 (Sunday), 2026.

Focusing on the approximately 100 years from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century, the exhibition will introduce masterpieces of ceramics, mainly teaware and coffeeware, as well as interior decorations, from the Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Gifu's collection, which is one of the leading modern and contemporary Western ceramic collections in Japan.

An Exhibition Tracing 100 Years of Western Ceramics

Western ceramics that open the door to modern design will come to Bizen from the collection of the Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Gifu. Focusing on the roughly 100 years from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century, the exhibition will display masterpieces from stellar countries and kilns, such as Germany's "Meissen," France's "Sèvres," Denmark's "Royal Copenhagen," and Finland's "Arabia." Please enjoy the charm of design that blossomed with the times.

Main Exhibited Works (All from the collection of the Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Gifu)

Meissen / Johann Joachim Kändler (prototype design) Gardener Boy and Girl Figurines, late 19th century (designed 1740)
Sèvres Tea Set "Clouded Blue" 1876
Émile Gallé Figure Motif Coffee Set 1880-1884
Royal Doulton Coffee Set "Deluxe" 1933
Rozenburg / Jurriaan Kok (prototype design) Orchid Motif Teapot, circa 1900
Wedgwood Floral Motif Tea Set 1878-1891
KPM Berlin Pomegranate Motif Cup & Saucer, early 20th century
Jutta Sika Cup & Saucer 1901-1902
Arabia / Birger Kaipiainen (design) Pansy and Fruit Motif Tableware Set "Paratiisi" 1972-1974 (designed 1969)

Related Programs

① Lecture "Modern Design of Western Ceramics"

Lecturer: Akira Tachibana (Curator, Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Gifu)

Date & Time: July 12 (Sun) 13:30-15:00

Venue: 1st Floor Auditorium

Capacity: 60 people (First-come, first-served; prior registration required)

Participation Fee: Free (Admission ticket for the day required)

Registration Period: June 1 (Mon) to July 11 (Sat)

② Workshop "Decorate Tiles with Transfer Sheets ♡"

Make original tiles by applying transfer sheets and firing them in a mini tunnel kiln.

Date & Time: August 1 (Sat) 10:00-15:30 (6 sessions in total)

Duration: About 1.5 hours (Work: 30 minutes, Firing: 1 hour)

Venue: 1st Floor Auditorium

Capacity: 10 people per session (First-come, first-served; prior registration required)

Participation Fee: 500 yen

Registration Period: July 4 (Sat) to July 31 (Fri)

③ Event "Enjoying Japanese Black Tea"

A tea seminar where you can learn the basics, such as the history and manufacturing methods of tea, while enjoying a tasting of Japanese black teas and sweets.

Lecturer: Masanori Kobayashi (6th Generation, Kobayashi Hokoen)

Date & Time: September 12 (Sat) 14:00-15:30

Venue: 3rd Floor Lounge

Capacity: 20 people (First-come, first-served; prior registration required)

* Target audience: High school students and above

* Application is limited to once per representative. Maximum of 4 people per group.

Participation Fee: 1,500 yen (Admission ticket for the day required)

Registration Period: July 4 (Sat) to August 11 (Tue)

④ Gallery Talk

The curator in charge will provide commentary on the exhibition. (No reservation required)

Dates: July 25 (Sat), August 15 (Sat), August 30 (Sun), September 13 (Sun), September 21 (Mon/Holiday) 13:30- each day

Venue: 2nd Floor Exhibition Rooms 1, 2, 3

Participation Fee: Free (Admission ticket for the day required)

In addition, concerts and other events are scheduled to be held.

Please check the official website for applications and the latest information.

Event Summary

Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Gifu Collection: Teacup Merry-Go-Round

100 Years of Modern Design in European Ceramics

Exhibition Period: July 4 (Sat) - September 27 (Sun), 2026

Venue: Bizen City Museum of Art, 2nd Floor Exhibition Rooms 1, 2, 3

Organizers: Bizen City Museum of Art, Sanyo Shimbun

Cooperation: Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Gifu

Support: Bizen City, Bizen City Board of Education, Asahi Shimbun Okayama General Bureau, Mainichi Shimbun Okayama Bureau, Yomiuri Shimbun Okayama Bureau, RSK Sanyo Broadcasting, OHK Okayama Broadcasting, TSC Television Setouchi, RNC Nishinippon Broadcasting, KSB Setonaikai Broadcasting, FM Okayama

Admission Fee: Adults 1,000 yen, Students (University, Vocational, High School) 800 yen, Junior High School Students and under Free

Seniors aged 65 and over (Residents of Bizen City, Ako City, Kamigori Town) 750 yen, Seniors aged 65 and over (Residents other than the left) 900 yen

* Other discount rates apply. Please check the website for details.

Facility Overview

Facility Name: Bizen City Museum of Art