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It has been 200 years since the kaleidoscope was first created. Attracted by its charm, many artists from all over the world have created their own works
The world's first museum to gather and exhibit all these beautiful kaleidoscopes is located in Sendai
"Sendai Kaleidoscope Museum"
This time, we invite you into the world of kaleidoscopes, the "crystallization of science and art"!
All of these are kaleidoscopes!? The first exhibition room is filled with playful exhibits!
When you enter the first exhibition room, you'll be greeted by an astonishing variety of artworks. Are they all kaleidoscopes?!
When you think of a kaleidoscope, you probably imagine a cylindrical object where the image changes as you look through the lens at the end and turn it, but this exhibition room is filled with large works that could be called objets d'art!
This is also a kaleidoscope!?
What exactly is a kaleidoscope?
In fact, a kaleidoscope is any artwork that uses two or more mirrors together like a mirror. That's why everything on display is a kaleidoscope, from huge to small!
What's more, all of the works in this first exhibition room can be experienced and photographed
There are a huge variety of kaleidoscopes, from sound-responsive ones to electrically operated ones and even ones that function as music boxes. Come and touch and look through them with your own hands! Your view of kaleidoscopes may change completely!
Check out the kaleidoscopes from all over the world and throughout history in the second exhibition room!
Once you leave the first exhibition room, the atmosphere changes to that of an art museum. Photography is not permitted from this point onwards
This time, we received special permission to take photos, so please take a look at these precious images!
In the second exhibition room, you can see many kaleidoscopes designed by Brewster, the creator of the kaleidoscope. Some of them look like dolls that children play with, and even billiard balls, but they are all kaleidoscopes
It is said that the experience of a kaleidoscope is itself a work of art, and in the second exhibition room you can appreciate the world of kaleidoscopes, which have been elevated to a comprehensive work of art, including their appearance
The exhibits change with the seasons. The third exhibition room is a "kaleidoscope jewel box!"
When you step into the third exhibition room, you will see a row of cylindrical kaleidoscopes. All of them are open to the public to view. You can enjoy a world of colorful geometric patterns!
Of all the works I've seen, the one I recommend the most is the work of Professor Koji Yamami. The brilliance that is reminiscent of space is too mystical to describe in words. It's definitely worth a look!
The exhibits in the third exhibition room change with the seasons
Even if you've been there once, you can enjoy it again and again, so it might be fun to visit every season
The large display box in the center is a kaleidoscope artwork. All four sides of the box are fitted with mirrors, making it a kaleidoscope that "utilizes the kaleidoscope on display"!
By the way, it's a little hard to notice, but this mirror has a secret! The upside-down letters that elementary school students often get wrong are called "mirror writing" because they are traced back to the letters reflected in the mirror, but take a good look at the mirror used in the background of this kaleidoscope. In fact, the letters reflected here are not mirror writing!
When you raise your right hand, you will see your reflection in the mirror raise its hand as well. It didn't seem like anything special until you noticed, but once you did, you'd have a strange feeling like you'd wandered into a magical world!
The charm of the kaleidoscope's two mirrors is that they can create such mysterious things!
Ceramic artist attracted to the charm of kaleidoscopes, Tsuji Teruko Gallery
The second half of the Sendai Kaleidoscope Museum is a gallery for 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, and so in addition to paintings, pottery, and accessories, the gallery also features collaborative works that combine pottery and kaleidoscopes
This collaborative work with kaleidoscope artist Charles Karadimos cannot be viewed as a kaleidoscope, but it will still move you to tears just by looking at it as a beautiful piece of ceramic art
One of the best things about the Sendai Kaleidoscope Museum is that after having a kaleidoscope experience, you can calm your mind by appreciating the art
A museum shop where you can make your own original kaleidoscope!
Finally, there is the much-anticipated museum shop
As you'd expect from a shop at a Kaleidoscope Museum, the sales floor is lined with kaleidoscopes as far as the eye can see! They also have a wide selection of fun goods, including cute little straps that can be used as accessories, and original kaleidoscope kits that you can make at home, so you'll be spoiled for choice
The thing that caught my eye the most was the Kaleidoshot, which can be attached to a smartphone camera. Once you set it up and start the camera app, a kaleidoscope-like image will spread across the screen. There are samples available, so it's fun to try one out and play with it!
The highlight of the museum shop is the experience corner where you can make your own original kaleidoscope. There are different courses depending on the level of difficulty, so even adults can enjoy it
Special classes are held during the summer holidays, so it's fun for parents and children to experience it together! Of course, adults can also enjoy courses for adults
If you want to try making a real kaleidoscope yourself, using your own birthstone or choosing stones that are special to you, then this is the place for you!
In addition, the products available at the museum shop are also available at the online shop. If you feel like you missed out on something, or if you're interested but can't make it to Sendai because it's too far, be sure to check out the online shop!
A writer with thinning hair who loves traveling and laughter. A nice guy who hides his thinning hair by shaving! He travels from north to south to bring smiles to Tohoku with his writing!
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