Summer Exhibition at Kyoto Seishu Netsuke Museum

This summer, the museum presents the colorful works of Toun Shishido. Toun, a former jewelry maker who began devoting himself to the art of netsuke in 1997, was enticed by the 360° quality of the art form. As Kyoto enters its most important festival season, Toun has dared to stretch the conventions of netsuke carving to create mini replicas of hokogashira: the impressive, long-handled swords standing upon the giant floats that parade through the streets.

Situated in the heart of Japan’s ancient capital, Kyoto Seishu Netsuke Art Museum is the country’s only museum dedicated to netsuke sculpture. Netsuke originated in the 17th century, when they served as a toggles to fasten items such as pillboxes and tobacco containers to obi belts, since kimono are without pockets. Intricately-­‐detailed and crafted from a variety of precious materials, netsuke developed into a highly sophisticated art form. Today, visitors can experience a palm-­‐ sized universe in this stately former samurai residence, which houses some 2,500 antique and contemporary pieces. 

Click here to view the brochure!

______