Detail: Traditionally in Japan, life was separated into ‘extraordinary days and ordinary days. Extraordinary days were those of festivals, auspicious events and ceremonies; ordinary days were for mundane work. Many of the objects in this exhibition are pieces that were created for extraordinary days, transforming the ordinary into extraordinary through design. A number celebrate food – an aspect of Japanese society that has come to epitomise our view of the singular Japanese devotion to raising everyday events to a level of an artform, in harmony with the seasons. Some pieces give a sense of occasion to the act of writing and artistic creativity.