1.
folk craft; traditional handicraft; folk art object
A handmade item produced by ordinary people using traditional techniques, valued for its practical beauty and regional character. Includes pottery, textiles, lacquerware, woodwork, and similar crafts.
Refers to handcrafted items made by common people using traditional local techniques. The concept is closely tied to the 民芸運動 (mingei movement), founded by 柳宗悦 in the 1920s, which championed the beauty of everyday utilitarian objects made by unnamed craftspeople.
Common collocations
- 民芸品の店: folk craft shop
- 地元の民芸品: local folk crafts
- 民芸品を集める: to collect folk crafts
- 伝統的な民芸品: traditional folk crafts
Examples of mingei
- こけし: wooden dolls from Tohoku
- 益子焼: Mashiko pottery
- 南部鉄器: Nambu ironware
- 琉球ガラス: Okinawan glass