Aomori Museum of Art and Yoshitomo Nara
Yoshitomo Nara was born in 1959 (Showa 34) in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture.
The Aomori Museum of Art, based in his hometown, is said to hold more than 170 works by Yoshitomo Nara, which it began acquiring in 1998. * As of 2020
The grounds of the museum also feature permanent works conceived in relation to the architectural space itself, including the giant three-dimensional dog sculpture ≪Aomori-ken≫ and the bronze sculpture 《Miss Forest》 installed inside the “Octagonal Hall,” a structure reminiscent of religious architecture.
Aomori-ken Money Box
At this Aomori Museum of Art, a money box modeled on Yoshitomo Nara’s ≪Aomori-ken≫ is on sale.
The commissioned work ≪Aomori-ken≫, created by Yoshitomo Nara for the Aomori Museum of Art, is a colossal three-dimensional sculpture standing 8.5 meters tall, but the “Aomori-ken Money Box” is a museum-goods item standing 19.3 cm tall.
The item is made of soft vinyl by Linden Co., also known for its soft-vinyl figures by Izumi Kato. The money box was made based on drawings by Yoshitomo Nara, and each piece is handmade in soft vinyl. When the head is removed, the coins inside can be taken out.
The “Aomori-ken Money Box” is a product sold exclusively at the museum shop of the Aomori Museum of Art to commemorate the museum’s 10th anniversary, and it is one of the shop’s most popular items.
The item is sometimes sold out during museum visits, but amid the state of emergency issued due to the novel coronavirus, the Aomori Museum of Art museum shop has begun to handle mail-order sales.
Mail-Order Sales
Until now, the Aomori-ken Money Box was not sold by mail order. Starting May 1, 2020, mail-order sales limited to the shop’s stock were announced.
Orders are accepted only for the following sets.
* Separate shipping fees, cash-on-delivery fees, and packing fees apply.
“Aomori-ken Money Box” Mail-Order Overview
Choose one of the following options:
- White ×1
- Light blue ×1
- White ×2 set
- Light blue ×2 set
- One of each color ×2 set (1 white / 1 light blue)
[Payment Example]
For a single purchase
Item price: JPY 4,950 (tax included)
Packing fee: JPY 200 (tax included)
Cash-on-delivery fee: JPY 330 (tax included)
Total: JPY 5,480 + delivery fee for your address (60-size). Order contents: 1 white Aomori-ken Money Box
* For reference, when shipping to Tokyo, the total came to JPY 6,520.* Sales end with orders placed on Wednesday, June 24. Sales have moved to the sales site. * Additional update to article content
The author was quick to buy one.
Summary
This was a rare chance to obtain an item that normally requires visiting the site in person.
Sales will continue until the planned stock at the shop runs out. * Applications closed with orders placed on June 24, 2020.
Also, starting July 1, 2020, the “Aomori Museum of Art Museum Shop” online shop was opened. Going forward, sales will be conducted from this site.
Overview
Aomori-ken Money Box
Body material: Soft vinyl (PVC)
Retail price: JPY 4,500 (excl. tax)
Size: Outer box / 90 (W) × 183 (D) × 195 (H) mm
Body / approx. 84 (W) × 157 (D) × 193 (H) mm
Color: White / Light blue * 2 colors
Release date: December 23, 2016 * Light blue released on February 3, 2017
Sales info (Oak Corporation): http://www.auc-cop.co.jp/news/detail.php?seq=17
* New “Aomori-ken Mail-Order Site”: https://aomori-ms-onlineshop.stores.jp/
* This article was partially updated on August 6, 2020.
