Founded by philosopher Yanagi Soetsu, this beautiful wooden gallery showcases "mingei"—the humble, anonymous beauty of everyday handmade items used by ordinary Japanese people. The collection celebrates functional objects like ceramics, textiles, and woodwork that were never intended as "art" but possess a different kind of beauty through their utility and craftsmanship. The museum's architecture, designed by Yanagi himself, embodies the same mingei principles as the collection.