The Least Useful Guide to Fukuoka

Image retrieved from 企画展示 | No.617 民具と生活−暮らしの中の意匠(デザイン)、暮らしのための設計(デザイン)−| 福岡市博物館

Instead of the two exhibitions I hesitated to visit, I went to another one at my local museum.

The specially curated exhibition showcases the museum's collection of everyday objects from the relatively recent past and costs just 200 yen (including admission to the permanent exhibition).

As usual on a weekday morning, I was the only visitor in the exhibition room.

And also as usual, I enjoyed the feeling of being invited to a wealthy friend's collection room (without having to (pretend to) listen to boastful talks).

Although there was no mention of the period in which the objects on display were actually used, I was sure that they no longer existed in our everyday lives, unless you are a sort of type who would never allow any plastic or metal in your house. 

As I always do when I go to an exhibition, I had an imaginary wallet with about five billion yen in it, so I could imagine which pieces I would like to have at home.

Actually, some pieces stimulated my greed for possession like this bowl.

But many of the objects on display were so powerful that I was even overwhelmed by a sense of implacability they conveyed, that I thought I would be cursed or punished if I measured their value in terms of money.