Toshiba's 1955 Rice Cooker at M+ Traces Japan's Kitchen Revolution and Danchi Housing
In its 'Designing for a National Identity' exhibit, M+ in Hong Kong is featuring the Toshiba Automatic Rice Cooker model RC-10K, which was produced in 1955. This appliance, recognized as Japan's first mass-produced rice cooker, was developed by engineer Minami Yoshitada and his spouse Fumiko, and it includes an automatic shut-off feature. The earlier model, ER-4, was designed by Iwata Yoshiharu. This rice cooker emerged during a significant shift in Japanese home life, aligning with the rise of danchi public housing after World War II. By 1960, 56% of danchi households had a rice cooker, and today, ownership in Japan stands at approximately 96%, even as rice consumption declines. It is also part of M+'s 'Things, Spaces, Interactions' exhibition.
Key facts
- The Toshiba Automatic Rice Cooker model RC-10K is on display at M+ in Hong Kong.
- Toshiba commercialized the first automatic rice cooker for home use in 1955.
- Engineer Minami Yoshitada and his wife Fumiko developed the automatic shut-off mechanism.
- Designer Iwata Yoshiharu created the model ER-4, Japan's first mass-produced rice cooker.
- Architect Miho Hamaguchi proposed the combined dining room kitchen (DK) first built in 1956.
- By 1960, 56% of danchi homes owned an automatic rice cooker, double the rate of other Tokyo households.
- Rice cooker ownership in Japan remains around 96% despite declining rice consumption since 2013.
- The appliance is part of M+'s 'Designing for a National Identity' section in 'Things, Spaces, Interactions'.
Entities
Artists
- Minami Yoshitada
- Fumiko Minami
- Iwata Yoshiharu
- Miho Hamaguchi
- Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky
- Laura Neitzel
- Kitakawa Keiko
Institutions
- M+
- ArtReview
- Toshiba
- Koushin-sha
- Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
Locations
- Hong Kong
- Tokyo
- Japan
- Germany