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HKFP
3 days ago
- Business
- HKFP
Japanese photographer Miyuki Kume on her decades-long fascination with Made in Hong Kong products
When Japanese photographer Miyuki Kume moved to Hong Kong in late 1993, she fell in love with the city. It was the delicious Cantonese cuisine that first captured her heart, but what kept her in the city for more than three decades was her passion for collecting Made in Hong Kong goods. It all began when Kume started buying ceramic plates and bowls from local shops and markets 'as a simple habit of making myself happy,' the photographer told HKFP. Her work for a Japanese travel magazine had brought her to Lascar Row in Sheung Wan. The outdoor street market, full of antiques, opened Kume's eyes to products and designs she had never seen in Japan before. She began planning little treasure-hunting trips to different areas in Hong Kong, sneaking into narrow lanes 'like a stray cat,' Kume described. However, when she reviewed her collection, she realised that most of the kitchenware she had purchased was labelled 'Made in China.' Knowing that Hong Kong still had a few industrial sites – albeit operating on a much smaller scale than in previous decades – Kume became determined to track down products that were made locally. She was in luck. The photographer first stumbled upon a book by design scholar Matthew Turner, titled Made in Hong Kong: A History of Export Design in Hong Kong. It served as an introductory guide to household items and toys manufactured in Hong Kong for Kume, who developed a habit of checking the label or stamp of each item of interest to see where it was manufactured. It was 'natural' for her to want to find locally made products, Kume said, drawing a comparison to Hongkongers seeking out Made in Japan goods while travelling. 'Hongkongers are used to seeing these household items. As a foreigner, it's easier for me to spot the characteristics of locally made products,' she said. 3,000-piece collection One of the earliest Hong Kong-made products Kume found was a blue-green vacuum flask by Camel. The brand, founded in 1940 and still operating in Kowloon Bay, caught Kume's attention with its colourful designs. She has since begun hunting for unique vacuum flasks produced in Hong Kong. So far, Kume has collected around 300 vacuum flasks from Camel and other local brands such as Gold Coin and Ox Head. But these flasks are only part of her 3,000-piece vintage collection stored at home, which also includes Chinese-made products she collected in the earlier days. As her collection expanded over the years, Kume decided to keep a better record by photographing the items. Her extensive collection eventually led to the publication of her first book, Hong Kong Department Store, in October 2024. The 196-page book is divided into four chapters. The first explores the world of made-in-Hong Kong products; the others focus on household items made by local artisans, unique Made in China products found in Hong Kong, and various items produced in the city during British colonial rule. In addition to showcasing her collection, the book also features stories of local brands and artisans, interviewed by the Japanese photographer herself. To promote her book, she also had an exhibition, held concurrently in two locations in Kowloon from October to November. It highlighted her eclectic collection, from ceramic tea cups and glass flower vases to plastic chairs and enamel basins. Kume, who learned Cantonese through watching television dramas and reading local newspapers, said she spent a lot of time building rapport with the artisans before convincing them to be interviewed. Many of them were very busy, while some had rejected her invitation because they thought she was doing a paid advertisement. After visiting the shops repeatedly, some shop owners were moved by her persistence and agreed to be featured in her book. The book, which is available in Chinese and Japanese, can serve as a guide for Japanese tourists who enjoy shopping for antique goods in Hong Kong, Kume said. She added that she had hoped to include a fifth chapter focusing on Japanese goods from the Showa period that can be found in Hong Kong, but it was left out due to page constraints. East meets West After being a collector for more than three decades, Kume finds it difficult to summarise the characteristics of Hong Kong-made products. The items reflect the 'design of the city,' Kume said, pointing to Hong Kong's unique position as a place where East meets West. She said she was very impressed by Hong Kong artisans who 'digested' designs from all around the world and added their own flair, giving rise to the distinctive local designs and products. 'There is no place in the world that can have access to Eastern and Western goods so easily,' Kume said. One of Kume's favourites, which she said would never be up for sale, is a panda-shaped radio produced by the company Sonix in Hong Kong during the 1960s. The funky, asymmetrical design — using the channel and volume knobs as eyes and featuring a playful smirk — was very 'evocative of the era,' Kume said. Another reason Kume loves vintage Hong Kong-made goods is their durability and the fact that one can often find beautiful pieces at relatively low prices. Kume used to be able to find affordable Made in Hong Kong products in good condition at shops and markets in older districts of the city. In recent years, however, the prices of these items have risen, and instead of searching on the streets, Kume now conducts her treasure hunts online. The photographer once discovered ceramic pieces from Hong Kong in an online shop based in Malta, which came as a total surprise. She later realised that it was due to Malta being part of the Commonwealth, and that Hong Kong-made products can also be found in other countries that were formerly under British rule. Some Hongkongers may still be able to find old products made in the city, handed down from their grandparents or even earlier generations. Kume urged people to hold on to these items, as they will 'disappear' soon. After publishing her first book and hosting a small exhibition last year, Kume has set her sights on writing a sequel. She said she must race against time to interview as many of Hong Kong's old artisans as possible to ensure their oral histories are recorded and passed on to future generations. 'I think it is my responsibility to listen to and document their stories because I have access,' she said. 'Made in Hong Kong' museum She has no plans to retire in the city due to the high rent, the photographer said. Kume, who refused to disclose her age, said she would likely return to her home in Japan in the future to take care of her ageing mother. While she does not intend to relocate in the coming few years, Kume said she would not be able to bring her entire Made in Hong Kong collection with her. This is primarily because Japan is prone to earthquakes, and her ceramics collection would not survive. Thermal flasks, on the other hand, would not be a problem, Kume said. 'I will have a smaller, but more curated collection.' Kume has considered the possibility of donating her collection when she moves back home, but the collector has a bigger dream — to donate her cherished items to a Made in Hong Kong museum. Although museums in the city have hosted exhibitions about locally made products before, just a corner in a museum is 'not enough,' she said. 'I've always thought that Hong Kong should have a Made in Hong Kong museum. The public can donate what they have at home, and we can have everything there. I think we have enough items for an independent museum.'
Associated Press
07-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Global Coin Unveils Exquisite Royal Tribute from the Crown Jewel Series
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