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Box netsuke like these are often decorated with lacquer work or mother-of-pearl.
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The museum is in a former samurai residence. Outside the entrance, a monument commemorates a visit by Princess Hisako, the widow of a cousin of Emperor Emeritus Akihito and a noted netsuke collector.
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The traditional interior of the museum gives a sense of having traveled back in time.
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Date carries his wallet using a netsuke shaped like a curled-up cat. The miniatures always have holes on their back for passing a cord through.
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An inrō container hangs from a kimono obi, attached to a round manjū netsuke. (Courtesy Kyoto Seishū Netsuke Art Museum)
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Many classic netsuke are on display, such as the figure of Hotei (left), one of the seven gods of fortune. On the right is a contemporary work, also in wood, depicting sumō wrestlers.
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The museum’s exhibition rooms are attractively laid out.
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On the left is a weaver of waraji or straw sandals, while the netsuke on the right depicts an episode from the youth of the monk and painter Sesshū (1420–1506). Exhibits often have magnifying glasses for enlarging fine details or mirrors for seeing the backs of the artworks.
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A ryūsa netsuke shaped like a snail. Between the minute decorations, the interior is hollowed out.
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The netsuke on the left shows a scene from the popular kabuki play Kanjinchō. On the right is a kagamibuta in which a frog is part of the lid.
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Photographs of Golden Netsuke Award ceremonies are displayed on the walls of the second floor.
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The Mibudera temple gate is near the red post box in this picture, almost opposite the entrance to the museum.
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