Ramen is often admired for its beautifully arranged toppings, but the bowls that hold these ever-popular noodles are often works of art in their own right. The Art of the RAMEN Bowl exhibition taking place at Tokyo's 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT delves into the craftsmanship behind these pieces, while exploring their history and cultural significance.
One highlight at the exhibition is the "design anatomy" of ramen and ramen bowls, breaking down their elements—shape, color, pattern, texture, and more—offering a fresh perspective on these everyday objects. The exhibit also features 40 pairs of artist-designed ramen bowls and soup spoons, including new creations by notable artists and designers like Naoto Fukasawa, Shigesato Itoi, and Yuko Higuchi.
Additionally, the exhibition shines a spotlight on the western Tono region, which produces an impressive 90% of Japan’s ramen bowls. It showcases ten traditional Mino ware bowls crafted using time-honored techniques such as Shino and Oribe, while exploring how the local "earth" contributes to Tono's renowned Mino pottery (Mino-yaki).
Other highlights include a display of around 250 bowls collected by ramen bowl enthusiast Yasuyuki Kaga, a newly designed ramen stand, and a specially created garden celebrating red pine’s role in Mino ware history. An original ramen map of nearby eateries adds a fun touch, encouraging visitors to enjoy a bowl after immersing themselves in the exhibit.
This is a paid exhibition, with tickets priced at 1600 JPY for adults, 800 JPY for university students, and 500 JPY for high school students. Those below high school age receive free admission.
