In 1972, the artist Genpei Akasegawa began noticing the things cities keep without knowing why, and began sharing it publicly in 1982 as a column in Shashin Jidai, where readers began submitting their own discoveries. Bus tours were organized, NHK covered the phenomenon, and Akasegawa's students established the Thomasson Observation Center to systematize the search.

This site continues that practice.

It is a living public archive built by those of us who find ourselves walking down the street and pausing in front of a thing—with awe, humor, wonder, or mystery.

The specific terms of this search are outlined in the Hyperart guidelines. The history and concept are covered in full on the context page.