The Mingeikan is well known for its incomparable collection, but also known that the museum is run on the greater part by good will.

　　On April 8,2002, the Nihon Mingeikan was buzzing in preparation for two celebratory events commemorating the completion of the great renovation that is planned to last the next century and reopening of the museum. More than 700 invitations were sent out to donators and friends of the Mingeikan.

　　The afternoon ceremony (2-4pm) was an expression of appreciation for the wonderful craftsmanship and carpentry that was shown in redoing the insides of the floors, walls and roof of the 70 year-old main building and the 180 year-old Nagayamon (Long Gate House) facing the main building. Most of the outer walls were whitewashed. The rain-stained wallpaper was replaced by kuzufu (kudzu vine or arrowroot fiber textile) wallpaper, specially hand-woven as the original. The 700 Oya-stone roof tiles of the Nagayamon, a building originally brought piecemeal from Tochigi Prefecture 67 years ago, were also replaced. The creation of the new tiles that weighed more than 60 tons was an intensive three months in the hot summer of 2001, of cutting stones from Oya Mountain and carving the tiles under the direction of a 60 year-old master Oya stone carver.

　　The ceremony was held in the presence of approximately 140 Mingeikan friends and Mingei association members who kindly donated for this renovation.Sori Yanagi (86), first son of the founder of the museum,Soetsu Yanagl (1889-1961), presented the certificates of merit that were all written in brush-ink calligraphy on stencil-dyed, handmade rice paper. The following tea reception was especially enjoyed with delicious homemade apricot bars beautifully placed in two bamboo baskets with handles, and several plates of fruit pound cake. The sweets were baked and donated by a generous and Mingeikan-loving American lady and a Japanese Mingeikan friend.

　　The whole Mingeikan was also blooming with spring flowers.In every room and hallway there were flower arrangements,all voluntarily done by the kindness of a Japanese flower designer and her husband.The flowers were all picked and cut from mountains around Hachioji and brought in early in the morning to the Mingeikan to be arranged in vases from the museum collection

　　The evening ceremony (6-8pm) was the auspicious opening to thank the main donating organizations and individuals.At 6pm. ten firemen clad in traditional costume from the most traditional Edo Firemen Brigade, lined up at the main entrance and started a procession up the stairs chanting Kiyari, congratulatory songs.They were joined with Yanagi and other Mingeikan trustees upon entering the main hall where more than 200 people awaited. Between their singing, one fireman performed a twirling of the brigade's banner around the center of the hall to pray for safety and happiness

　　Sori Yanagi made the welcome address. Kunio Anzai, chairman of Tokyo Gas Co., made the opening greeting as representative of the Mingeikan trustees, Yohei Sasagawa, representative of the Nippon Foundation trustees. the largest donating organization for this renovation project, gave a heartwarming address, and the reception was commenced with the cracking open of a sake barrel and kanpai.

　　The total budget for the Mingeikan renovation was finalized in 2001 March when the Mingeikan received a notice of confirmation from the Nippon Foundation of the sum of \30,000,000 to be granted to the Mingeikan. The renovation cost of \110,000,000