--From the text of the exhibition introduction--

Thank you for visiting this exhibition.

We launched this project in 2017 to explore new relationships between tools and people, and to share the process and results of that exploration with the public through exhibitions. This year marks our ninth exhibition.

The tools we propose are not confined by the boundaries of existing tools.

This is because we aim to create new relationships between tools and people by continuing our exploration without losing sight of the relationship itself, rather than starting from the tool’s purpose and function.

Ultimately, this leads us to consider the question, “Why do we use tools?” , as well as the potential impact that tools have on society.

As a professor, my research focuses on three themes: “the specific roles that certain tools can fulfill,” “new relationships between tools and people,” and “the sustainability of culture.” Another goal of this project is to pass on to my students the research methods I use to explore “new relationships between tools and people.”

The theme of this exhibition is toys.

What makes toys unique compared to other tools is that most of them are intended for children.

However, their origins are not necessarily tied to children; many were originally used in religious ceremonies or were made for adults. For example, in Japan, games such as Kemari and the shell matching game were not originally intended for children.

Another noteworthy point is the astonishing variety of toys available. If you visit Toys “R” Us, you’ll find an area dedicated solely to toys that is larger than a typical supermarket. This raises the question: Why does this world need so many toys? After all, children play even without toys, and they can turn non-toy items, such as twigs, light switches, or pieces of cloth, into toys.

Through extensive research, experimentation, and discussion, we have grappled with these questions. Toys are truly fascinating tools.

We would be delighted if you would take a look at the results of our design work, which stem from our ongoing exploration of the relationship between toys and people.

Takaaki Oe