September 10, – December 25, 2022

First created in Europe, the lighter is an ignition device used mainly for smoking. We even have disposable ones now, and so lighters may seem like completely common and ordinary items. But a deeper examination of their history reveals that these items offer both functional and decorative beauty, with ingenious techniques for ignition mechanisms, playful shapes to make smoking more fun and relaxing, and the distinctly high-quality feel of metal lighters constructed beautifully with plating and painting, etc.
Various ignition devices were developed in the second half of the 19th century, and the manufacture of petrol lighters began in earnest in the 1920s. From the 1920s to the 1950s, many remarkable lighters were created which incorporated the Art Deco trend then popular in North America and Europe. As gas lighters were introduced after the Second World War, they also grew more widely used among the general public. And in Japan, lighters even developed into an export industry.
Imperial Easter Egg Series（Evans）
“Aquarium”（Dunhill）
This exhibition showcases noteworthy pieces such as the various types of ignition devices that preceded the lighter, superb name-brand lighters created by manufacturers such as Dunhills, Ronsons and Evans, and table lighters with unique shapes and constructions. This exhibition also features Japanese-made petrol lighters from the immediate post-war period and introduces the history of Japanese lighter manufacturing which was once a local industry in the area around the Sumidagawa River.

[General admission fees]

General (Adults and university students)
individual:100yen

Children and pupils of primary, juniorhigh, and high schools
individual:50yen

Visitors over 65 years old ※Please show proof of age when entering.
individual:50yen

※ With age certificate, visitors over 65 years old are admitted for half price.
※ With disability certificate, free admission for disabled persons and one accompanying attendant.

• 

  “Aquarium”（Dunhill）

• 

  Imperial Easter Egg Series（Evans）