Regelski Collection is a private collection located in Helsinki, Finland, of presently over 3500 works of Japanese antiques and art. It was started in 1983 when its founder, Professor Thomas A. Regelski was in Japan teaching in the Aichi University. It then continued to grow slowly in the U.S. by purchases at various antique shops and occasional travels to Japan. Since 2000, while Thomas was residing in Finland, most of the collection was acquired online. As the collection grew, together with his wife Kaisa, he decided to present the collection to a wider Finnish audience and share it in an educational format for those having little experience with Japanese art, especially Finns.
The text, originally planned to be published as a book, provides a general introduction to Japanese traditional arts and the Japanese spirit. Also, background information is given about various items chosen (less than 15 % of the total) for the website. In time items in excess, duplicates, and vintage from the collection will be sold —but will maintain the basic collection.
Congratulations on the completion of the MIYABI website! It is excellent! It’s wonderful to see so many collections in so many fields, even if it is only a part of the huge collection of 3500 pieces… And I love reading your reflections on Japanese art. Your words are inspirational and meaningful, coming from a wide range of knowledge and depth of thought. I will be back again and again to view the pieces and to read your writings. You see Japanese culture and art from a perspective that Japanese people don’t have, so your activity is culturally significant. I am very happy and honored to be able to be of little help with that. Masanari Sadakata, Manager of Dept.Japon