Crocker Art Museum Opens Japanese Culinary Exhibit

The A Fine Feast exhibit showcases 79 historic culinary objects from the private collection of Darrell Corti.

Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Food and Drink

Gouache-painted illustration of a single traditional Japanese ceramic bowl, capturing the quiet aesthetic of culinary artifacts in an exhibition setting. — The Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento has launched 'A Fine Feast,' an exhibition displaying 79 traditional Japanese culinary artifacts collected by Darrell Corti. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you prefer to use household items that are purely functional or those with artistic design?

The Crocker Art Museum has debuted A Fine Feast, a new exhibition featuring 79 Japanese culinary items. The collection highlights the intersection of artistic design and practical utility in traditional Japanese dining.

Why it matters

The exhibit explores how Japanese tableware serves as both a functional tool and a work of art. It provides residents with insight into dining traditions and the evolution of culinary aesthetics over centuries.

The collection includes 79 objects, with 15 pieces specifically forming a single boat picnic set. Roughly 75% of the displayed items were sourced from the Kura Monzen Gallery in Kyoto.

The players

Darrell Corti

He is a prominent local business owner in East Sacramento who has spent forty years assembling his private collection of Japanese culinary items.

Crocker Art Museum

Located in Sacramento, this institution is one of the oldest art museums in the western United States and serves as the venue for the exhibition.

Amelia Kit-Yiu Chau

She serves as the curator for the exhibition, responsible for selecting and arranging the items to highlight Japanese dining traditions.

The details

Curator Amelia Kit-Yiu Chau organized the display to reflect the culinary expertise and collecting journey of Darrell Corti, who began gathering the pieces in 1985. The selection includes ceramics, metalware, and lacquerware, highlighted by imperial bonbonnières that were historically presented as farewell gifts.

The Edo period lasted from 1615 to 1868.
Darrell Corti began collecting the culinary pieces in 1985.
The A Fine Feast exhibit opened to the public in October 2026.
The exhibition is scheduled to close on May 9, 2027.

Industry Dynamics

This exhibition highlights the growing institutional interest in private culinary collections as a means to explore cultural heritage. By bridging historical items with modern appreciation, the museum aligns itself with broader trends in curation that favor thematic, lifestyle-focused exhibits.

Visitors can view these historic objects at the Crocker Art Museum during regular operating hours through the spring of 2027. This provides residents with an opportunity to engage with international artistry without leaving the city.

The takeaway

Understanding the history behind everyday dining items can offer a deeper appreciation for culinary rituals. Residents interested in design or history may find that viewing these curated pieces provides a unique perspective on the intersection of function and beauty.