Anniversary Projects
The Gō Seinosuke Netsuke Collection
November 2, 2022 (Wed) - January 22, 2023 (Sun)
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 12
In 1942, the Japanese businessman and politician Gō Seinosuke (1865–1942) donated his collection of netsuke to Tokyo National Museum. Netsuke were used as toggles attached to cords for hanging small cases called inro and tobacco pouches from the waist. The custom of wearing them disappeared after the Meiji era (1868–1912), but netsuke continued to attract the attention of foreign art collectors. Concerned about how netsuke were being taken out of Japan, Gō Seinosuke spent over twenty-five years collecting high-quality pieces. This exhibition is a rare opportunity to view this fine collection in its entirety.
Major Works in this Exhibition
Toggle (Netsuke) Shaped Like a Rabbit, Edo period, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Gō Seinosuke)
Toggle (Netsuke) Shaped Like the Daoist Immortal Tienguai, By Yoshimura Shūzan, Edo period, 18th century (Gift of Mr. Gō Seinosuke)
Toggle (Netsuke) Shaped Like a Daoist Immortal and a Dragon, By Yoshimura Shūzan, Edo period, 18th century (Gift of Mr. Gō Seinosuke)