Inadequate illumination is endemic at Japanese galleries and museums. That inadequacy can preclude an accurate grasp of the color or even the shape of pottery works on display at pottery exhibitions. The interested visitor resorts to a penlight for a better grasp of the exhibits. That precipitates, as often as not, an admonishment from a museum docent to pocket the device.
“Why?”
“Because it’s the museum’s rule.”
“Penlights might or might not affect a painting or drawing. But they certainly don’t affect pottery. So what’s the problem?”
“I’m sorry, but that’s our rule.”
“Let me talk to your boss.”
Rarely does the appearance of the docent’s supervisor—sometimes the museum curator—yield a more-rational outcome.
“We need to consider what could happen if everyone did likewise.”
“If everyone shone a penlight on a work of pottery?”
“Yes.”
“And that would be the undoing of our nation?”
“Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.”
