In celebration of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of Viet Nam - Japan diplomatic ties in 2018, the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Viet Nam and the Japanese Embassy Viet Nam will present a travelling exhibition “Contemporary wood-carved netsuke” from January 24th - March 15th.
This new traveling exhibition is an innovative contemporary crafts exhibition presenting 65 works by contemporary netsuke carvers and artists. A netsuke is a non-slip toggle that has been used since the Edo period (1603-1868) to secure the small personal items such as money pouches, inro-(medicine container), or tobacco containers worn suspended on cords from the obi (a sash worn with kimono). These practical objects were created by and for the common people and greatly enjoyed by them.
As Western clothing was adopted from the Meiji period (1868-1911) on, however, netsuke disappeared from daily life in Japan.
Visitors have chance to explore the subtle and highly artistic skills, and playfulness, embodied in netsuke and consider the practicality and charm of netsuke today, when they are not longer part of everyday life. The netsuke has been called a tactile craft.
Visitors, regardless of time or place, can savor tactile encounters with others and think of them through these works. Admission is free.
In Ha Noi, the exhibition opens at 10h00 on January 24th, no closed days except Vietnamese Tet holidays from February 13th-21st from 08h30 - 18h00 at the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Viet Nam, No.27 Quang Trung, Hoan Kiem district, Ha Noi.