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Doll-Corn Husk, Unidentified Maker, Czech Republic, late 20th Century. Gift of Hope and Roy Turney, 1996-23-580A.
Image: Doll-Corn Husk, Unidentified Maker, Czech Republic, late 20th Century. Gift of Hope and Roy Turney, 1996-23-580A.
On View

Feb 14, 2026 - Jan 10, 2027

Curated By

Mingei Curators

Curated from Mingei International Museum’s Permanent Collection, this Entry Level exhibition explores the global significance of grains as a source of sustenance and an inspiration to human creativity. Grains such as corn, wheat, rice, quinoa, and oats are dietary staples around the world, their common presence forming important roles across communities and the cultures built around them. From tools used to harvest and process, to containers used to store and consume, each object is an example of how innovative design, borne from a need, and a craftsman’s own artistic eye, intersect to produce clever results. Artisans use straw, husks, chaff, hulls, and the grains themselves to make whimsical figures and fashionable creations, revealing how even the humblest of materials can spark endless imagination.

Unidentified Maker, Sake Cask, no date, Japan. Fiber and wood. 23 in. x 22 in. x 22 in. Gift of Esther and Morgan Sinclaire, 1988−21−001.
Front to back: Unidentified Maker, Rice Cutting Tool, no date, China. Wood and metal. 2 in. x 3 1⁄2 in. x 1⁄2 in. Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Allen Chao and The Hamilton White Foundation, 1998−51−289. Unidentified Maker, Rice Cutting Tool, 20th Century, China. Wood, metal, and cord. 2 3⁄8 in. x 3 1⁄2 in. x 1⁄4 in. Gift of Drs. James and Judith Kemp, 2002−15−009. Unidentified Maker, Rice Harvesting Knives, 20th Century, Thailand. Metal and wood. 17 1⁄2 in. (each). Gift of Nancy McKay, 2010 – 91-001A‑F.
Unidentified Maker, Rice Seed Basket, 20th Century, Malaysia. Glass beads, wood, and cotton thread. 7 x 6 x 6 inches. Gift of Mark A. Johnson, 1998−50−001.
Unidentified Makers, Dolls, no date, Czech Republic. Corn husks, wood, and string. Various dimensions. Gift of Hope and Roy Turney, 1996 – 23-580A‑H.

Slide show images

  1. Unidentified Maker, Sake Cask, no date, Japan. Fiber and wood. 23 in. x 22 in. x 22 in. Gift of Esther and Morgan Sinclaire, 1988-21-001.
  2. Front to back: Unidentified Maker, Rice Cutting Tool, no date, China. Wood and metal. 2 in. x 3 1/2 in. x 1/2 in. Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Allen Chao and The Hamilton White Foundation, 1998-51-289. Unidentified Maker, Rice Cutting Tool, 20th Century, China. Wood, metal, and cord. 2 3/8 in. x 3 1/2 in. x 1/4 in. Gift of Drs. James and Judith Kemp, 2002-15-009. Unidentified Maker, Rice Harvesting Knives, 20th Century, Thailand. Metal and wood. 17 1/2 in. (each). Gift of Nancy McKay, 2010-91-001A-F.
  3. Unidentified Maker, Rice Seed Basket, 20th Century, Malaysia. Glass beads, wood, and cotton thread. 7 x 6 x 6 inches. Gift of Mark A. Johnson, 1998-50-001.
  4. Unidentified Makers, Dolls, no date, Czech Republic. Corn husks, wood, and string. Various dimensions. Gift of Hope and Roy Turney, 1996-23-580A-H.

Banner Image

Unidentified Makers, Rice Straw Horses (Wara-uma), 20th Century, Japan. Rice straw, cloth, string, and metal. Various dimensions.
Left to right: Gift of Barbara C. Adachi, 2001-69-264; Museum Purchase, 1989-32-015; Gift of Barbara C. Adachi, 2001-69-267; Gift of Esther and Morgan Sinclaire, 2009-05-072; Gift of Lillian Kornblum, 1978-18-004.

Press Materials