[Miyagi] Let's take a look at kaleidoscopes from ancient times and modern times at the Sendai Kaleidoscope Museum!

It has been 200 years since the kaleidoscope was born into this world.
Fascinated by its charm, various artists around the world have created works of art.
The world's first art museum to collect and display such beautiful kaleidoscope works is located in Sendai.

"Sendai Kaleidoscope Museum"

This time, we would like to invite you to the world of kaleidoscope, a “culmination of science and art”!

This is all kaleidoscope! ? The first exhibition room where you can enjoy fun exhibits!

As you enter the first exhibition room, you will be greeted with a surprising variety of works of art.
This is all kaleidoscope! ?

When you think of a kaleidoscope, you imagine a cylindrical one whose pattern changes when you turn it while looking through the lens at the end, but this exhibition room is full of large works that could be called objects!
This is also a kaleidoscope!
? What exactly is a kaleidoscope?

Actually, a kaleidoscope is a general term for a work of art that uses two or more mirrors put together like a mirror.
Therefore, everything on display is a kaleidoscope, from huge things to small things!

What's more, all of the works in this first exhibition room can be experienced and photographed.
Come touch and take a look at the wide variety of kaleidoscopes, including ones that respond to sound, ones that are electric, and even ones that are turned into music boxes!
Your view of kaleidoscope may change completely!

Let's take a look at the kaleidoscope of ancient and modern East and West in the second exhibition room!

As you pass through the first exhibition room, the atmosphere immediately changes to that of an art museum.
No photography is allowed from here on.
This time, we received special permission to take pictures, so please take a look at the precious images!

Now, in the second exhibition room, you can see a number of kaleidoscope works devised by Brewster, the creator of kaleidoscopes.
Inside, you can see things that at first glance look like dolls for children to play with, and things that look like billiard balls, but these are all kaleidoscopes.

It is said that the experience of a kaleidoscope is art, and in the second exhibition room you can appreciate the world of kaleidoscopes, which have been sublimated as a comprehensive art, including their appearance.

Are the exhibits different depending on the season? The third exhibition room is “Kaleidoscope jewelry box!”

When you step into the third exhibition room, you will find many cylindrical kaleidoscopes lined up.
All of these can be viewed.
You can enjoy the world of colorful geometric patterns!

The most recommended work I've seen is by Koji Yamami.
The brilliance that reminds you of the universe is too mysterious to be expressed in words.
It's definitely worth a look!

Exhibitions in the third exhibition room change depending on the season.
Even if you've been here once, you can enjoy it as many times as you like, so it might be fun to visit each season.

The large display box in the center is a kaleidoscope piece.
There are matching mirrors on all four sides of the box, making it a kaleidoscope that uses the kaleidoscopes on display!
By the way, it's a little hard to notice, but this mirror has a secret!
The letters that are left and right sideways, which elementary school students often make mistakes, are called ``mirror letters'' by comparing them to the letters reflected in a mirror, but please take a close look at the mirror used in the background of this kaleidoscope.
Actually, the characters reflected here are not mirror characters!
If you raise your right hand, you will see yourself in the mirror also raising your right hand.
I didn't think anything of it until I noticed it, but once I did, I felt as if I had wandered into a magical world!

The ability to do such strange things is part of the charm of the kaleidoscope's combined mirrors!

Teruko Tsuji Gallery, a ceramic artist who was attracted to the charm of kaleidoscopes

The second half of the Sendai Kaleidoscope Museum is a gallery dedicated to Teruko Tsuji, a pioneering female ceramic artist.
As a ceramic artist, she is also one of the artists who was drawn to the charm of kaleidoscopes.
Therefore, in addition to paintings, vessels, and accessories, you can see collaborative works of ceramics and kaleidoscopes in the gallery.

This collaboration work with kaleidoscope artist Charles Karadimos cannot be viewed as a kaleidoscope, but it will move your heart when viewed as a beautiful piece of ceramic art.
The real pleasure of Sendai Kaleidoscope Art Museum is to calm your mind by appreciating art after having fun with the kaleidoscope experience.

A museum shop where you can make your own original kaleidoscope!

Finally, the long-awaited museum shop.
Since this is a Kaleidoscope Museum shop, the sales floor is lined with kaleidoscopes as far as the eye can see!
We have a wide range of fun goods that you can't help but fall in love with, such as small and cute straps that can be used as accessories, and original kaleidoscope kits that you can make at home.

What caught my eye the most was Kaleido Shot, which can be attached to a smartphone camera.
When you set it up and run the camera app, a kaleidoscope-like image will spread across the screen.
There are samples, so it's fun to pick it up and play with it!

The main attraction of the museum shop is the experience corner where you can make your own original kaleidoscope.
The courses are divided by difficulty level, making it suitable for even adults to enjoy.
Special classes are held during the summer vacation, so it's fun to experience it with your parents and children!
Of course, adults can enjoy the adult course.
If you want to experience making a kaleidoscope in an authentic way, using your own birthstone or choosing a special stone, please give it a try!

The products in the museum shop are also available at the online shop.
If you feel like you missed out on buying one, or if you're interested but can't go to Sendai because it's too far away, please take a look at our online shop!

INFORMATION