If you’ve dipped your toes deep enough in Japanese culture, you’ve probably seen small carvings or sculptures that look like different things, from dragons to animals to the most diverse of people. These are the Japanese netsuke, which were often worn with Kimono in the 16th to 18th century Japan. Aside from being a style staple, it’s a valuable art known for its intricacy.
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Good news: We can see and learn how these goodies are made. As part of Ayala Museum’s On-The-Go traveling exhibits, the “Contemporary Wood-Carved Netsuke Exhibition” will answer all our netsuke questions on Jul. 1 at Greenbelt 5 Gallery, Makati. This is a collaboration between Japan Foundation Manila, the Japanese Embassy, Ateneo De Manila University’s Arete, and Ayala Museum.
At 4 p.m. on Jul. 1, before the opening reception, Japanese netsuke artists Mr. Tadamine Nakagawa and Ms. Asuka Kajiura, with Dr. Karl Cheng Chua of ADMU, will hold a lecture and demonstration on how these Japanese netsuke are made. If this doesn’t make your Japanese buff heart race, I don’t know what will.
Photos from Pixabay