Contemporary Wood-Carved NETSUKE
October 31 @ 11:30 am - 4:30 pm EDT
An event every week that begins at 11:30 am on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, repeating until December 16th, 2023
An event every week that begins at 11:30 am on Thursday, repeating until December 16th, 2023
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Contemporary Wood-Carved NETSUKE
Exhibition produced and presented by The Japan Foundation
September 15 – December 16, 2023
Contemporary Wood-Carved NETSUKEAdmission: FREE
Gallery Hours: Hourly timeslots starting at 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 1:30PM, 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM (4:30 PM and 5:30 PM on Thursdays)
Our gallery exhibition is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. We are closed on Sundays, Mondays, and Wednesdays.
We are also closed on select Saturdays: September 30-October 1 (weekend of National Day of Truth and Reconciliation), October 7-9 (Thanksgiving weekend), November 11-12 (Remembrance Day weekend)
Library & Gallery Opening Hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 11:30am to 4:30pm |
| Wednesday | CLOSED |
| Thursday | 11:30am to 6:30pm |
| Friday | 11:30am to 4:30pm |
| Saturday | 11:30am to 4:30pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
Netsuke is a delicate and whimsical art form unique to Japan which fits on your palm intimately. In the 17th and 18th century Netsuke developed rapidly in the kimono fashion culture. For kimonos, which had no pockets, Netsuke acted as toggles providing daily-life convenience for carrying things such as pouches, medicine cases, and smoking pipe cases.
Since Japanese fashion had been westernized in the mid-19th century, Netsuke receded from practical use, but still attracted artistic interest not only within Japan but worldwide. In this exhibition, 65 contemporary pieces which are all wood-carved are on display. SAITŌ Bishū, a master Netsuke carver, describes the charm and attraction of Netsuke as “Freedom amidst constraints.” Netsuke are made under certain restrictions, such as needing two holes to run the cord through and requiring it to be round to avoid getting caught. The carvers express themselves as freely as possible under these constraints, which, in the end, magically stimulate the imaginations of both creators and viewers.
Due to the COVID-19 precautions, we are open in limited hourly slots, 4 days a week. Advanced, time-specific reservation is recommended. Hand-sanitization at the entry and wearing face-coverings on our premises are recommended.
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