NEWS

The Special Exhibition "Edo Period Cosmetic Utensils" is Currently Held at the Hachiro Yuasa Memorial Museum.

Update: May 31, 2024

The special exhibition "Edo Period Cosmetic Utensils" is currently held at the Hachiro Yuasa Memorial Museum.

It is said that "white" of the face powder, "red" of the rouge on lips, and "black" of hair and teeth-blackening (ohaguro) are the three colors that symbolize Edo period makeup. We have selected some 148 cosmetic utensils and related items from the Museum collection for this exhibition.

The Yuasa Museum opened in 1982 to commemorate the contribution made by late Dr. Hachirō Yuasa to ICU. Dr. Yuasa had collected and donated a wide range of mingei items to the Museum which included cosmetic utensils. Many were made during the Edo period--small jars used as hair oil containers, round bronze mirrors with handles often with auspicious designs on the back, and combs and hair ornaments with delicate designs.
In addition to the items collected by Dr. Yuasa, we have also displayed items that were acquired by the Museum over the past years: teeth-blackening utensils we rarely see today, portable barber's chest, small rouge plates and palettes, and sets of cosmetic boxes and chests for storing utensils and brushes for makeup. Both simple black lacquered items used by commoners, as well as richly makie-decorated ones that comprise the bridal trousseau of upper-class family are shown in this exhibition, hoping to give a glimpse of cosmetic items used for the Edo period makeup.

• Exhibition Title: Edo Period Cosmetic Utensils
• Venue: Second Floor Special Exhibition Gallery, Hachiro Yuasa Memorial Museum
• Period: April 9 (Tue) - July 4 (Thu), open Tuesday through Thursday
  and on the following Saturdays, 4/20, 5/18, 6/15 and 7/20.
• Hours: 13:00-17:00 (11:00-16:00 on 7/20)
• Admission: Free

Hachiro Yuasa Memorial Museum Website