Kyoto Seisou Netsuke Museum's May Special Exhibition: 'Creatures: Ode to Brilliant Life'
The Kyoto Seisou Netsuke Museum will hold the 'Creatures: Ode to Brilliant Life' exhibition in May, as the second installment of its 'Netsuke Encyclopedia Exhibition'. It will showcase approximately 400 contemporary netsuke themed around human and other creatures' lives, promoting the charm of traditional culture.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 22:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 30, 2026 at 13:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 30, 2026 at 13:46 (14 min after Collected)
The Kyoto Seisou Netsuke Museum, specializing in netsuke with a focus on contemporary works, holds monthly special exhibitions.
Netsuke are often likened to a microcosm of all creation, as they incorporate diverse themes born from human ingenuity. They encompass all fields of human knowledge, covering every conceivable subject. It is no exaggeration to call them an encyclopedia of netsuke. From April to June 2026, the museum will host the 'Netsuke Encyclopedia Exhibition', systematically presenting the diverse world of netsuke and introducing contemporary netsuke that stimulate intellectual curiosity, much like an encyclopedia.
The second installment in May is themed 'Creatures: Ode to Brilliant Life', delving into the rich activities of humans, rare animals from around the world, and the world of tiny insects that sustain life. We invite you to visit the Kyoto Seisou Netsuke Museum to experience the intelligence and deep affection for their subjects embedded in netsuke, as well as the exquisite expressiveness within their forms, through the works in this special exhibition.
'Netsuke Encyclopedia' Exhibition
Here are some of the netsuke exhibited in the May 'Creatures: Ode to Brilliant Life' exhibition.
Everyone has felt the excitement of discovering new knowledge and turning unknown pages, driven by curiosity, every time they opened an encyclopedia. It is estimated that there are approximately 8.7 million species of living organisms on Earth, yet about 86% are still undiscovered (unknown).
Many organisms, including ourselves, make their lives shine and are interconnected, making the entire Earth an organic and dynamic living entity. This special exhibition, themed 'Ode to Brilliant Life', presents a vibrant wonderland of humans and creatures. Animals from around the world, small insects, and unknown fish gather together in humorous, anthropomorphic dramas.
'Rikka' (Start of Summer)
Artist: Sumi Sada (1944~)
Size: Height 3.2cm
Material: Ivory
Commentary: Rikka signifies the beginning of summer, pointing to early May on the calendar. The work depicts a woman leaning back dramatically, conveying freshness and an open feeling, reminiscent of magnificent mountain ranges.
'The Princess and the Pea'
Artist: Susan Leith (1968~)
Size: Height 4.5cm
Material: Boxwood, Lacquer
Commentary: From Andersen's fairy tale. It teaches that discerning authenticity is not about superficial appearance, but about inner awareness and subtle inconsistencies in details.
'Big Catch'
Artist: Tsunatsuna Ito (1966~)
Size: Height 2.3cm
Material: Ivory
Commentary: The figure of a fisherman chasing a large fish evokes the connections and cycles of life in nature, showing the brilliance of life struggling to survive.
'Leap'
Artist: Kuukan Oikawa (1968~)
Size: Height 6.3cm
Material: Ivory
Commentary: This work depicts the act of taking a step forward in life. Three infants guide the way, representing courage (laurel wreath of victory), determination (trumpet), and perseverance (key to success).
About Kyoto Seisou Netsuke Museum
The Kyoto Seisou Netsuke Museum was established here in Kyoto, the cultural capital, as Japan's only specialized netsuke museum, at the initiative of Muneaki Kinoshita, Honorary Chairman of Sagawa Printing Co., Ltd., who envisioned to 'preserve Japan's fine traditions in Japan, by the hands of Japanese people.' Our museum embraces 'new challenges' and 'bonds' as its core principles (宗), aiming to inherit, create, and develop netsuke and the surrounding culture. With missions to 'captivate', 'nurture', and 'connect', we operate as a museum open to the community and to everyone.
It is managed as part of Sagawa Printing's patronage activities and opened in September 2007. Approximately 400 contemporary netsuke are displayed in the 'Former Kamioka Residence', a historically designated cultural property of Kyoto City, which is one of the few remaining samurai residences in Kyoto City that combines the characteristics of both a samurai residence and a Kyoto townhouse (gōshi, an upper-class farmer's residence).
Kyoto Seisou Netsuke Museum
46-1 Mibu Kayagoshomachi, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City
https://www.netsukekan.jp/
Sagawa Printing Co., Ltd.
[Contact for this matter]
Sagawa Printing Co., Ltd., Sales Planning Department (Public Relations)
TEL: 075-934-8010 E-mail: sp-eigyokikaku@spcom.co.jp
Netsuke are often likened to a microcosm of all creation, as they incorporate diverse themes born from human ingenuity. They encompass all fields of human knowledge, covering every conceivable subject. It is no exaggeration to call them an encyclopedia of netsuke. From April to June 2026, the museum will host the 'Netsuke Encyclopedia Exhibition', systematically presenting the diverse world of netsuke and introducing contemporary netsuke that stimulate intellectual curiosity, much like an encyclopedia.
The second installment in May is themed 'Creatures: Ode to Brilliant Life', delving into the rich activities of humans, rare animals from around the world, and the world of tiny insects that sustain life. We invite you to visit the Kyoto Seisou Netsuke Museum to experience the intelligence and deep affection for their subjects embedded in netsuke, as well as the exquisite expressiveness within their forms, through the works in this special exhibition.
'Netsuke Encyclopedia' Exhibition
Here are some of the netsuke exhibited in the May 'Creatures: Ode to Brilliant Life' exhibition.
Everyone has felt the excitement of discovering new knowledge and turning unknown pages, driven by curiosity, every time they opened an encyclopedia. It is estimated that there are approximately 8.7 million species of living organisms on Earth, yet about 86% are still undiscovered (unknown).
Many organisms, including ourselves, make their lives shine and are interconnected, making the entire Earth an organic and dynamic living entity. This special exhibition, themed 'Ode to Brilliant Life', presents a vibrant wonderland of humans and creatures. Animals from around the world, small insects, and unknown fish gather together in humorous, anthropomorphic dramas.
'Rikka' (Start of Summer)
Artist: Sumi Sada (1944~)
Size: Height 3.2cm
Material: Ivory
Commentary: Rikka signifies the beginning of summer, pointing to early May on the calendar. The work depicts a woman leaning back dramatically, conveying freshness and an open feeling, reminiscent of magnificent mountain ranges.
'The Princess and the Pea'
Artist: Susan Leith (1968~)
Size: Height 4.5cm
Material: Boxwood, Lacquer
Commentary: From Andersen's fairy tale. It teaches that discerning authenticity is not about superficial appearance, but about inner awareness and subtle inconsistencies in details.
'Big Catch'
Artist: Tsunatsuna Ito (1966~)
Size: Height 2.3cm
Material: Ivory
Commentary: The figure of a fisherman chasing a large fish evokes the connections and cycles of life in nature, showing the brilliance of life struggling to survive.
'Leap'
Artist: Kuukan Oikawa (1968~)
Size: Height 6.3cm
Material: Ivory
Commentary: This work depicts the act of taking a step forward in life. Three infants guide the way, representing courage (laurel wreath of victory), determination (trumpet), and perseverance (key to success).
About Kyoto Seisou Netsuke Museum
The Kyoto Seisou Netsuke Museum was established here in Kyoto, the cultural capital, as Japan's only specialized netsuke museum, at the initiative of Muneaki Kinoshita, Honorary Chairman of Sagawa Printing Co., Ltd., who envisioned to 'preserve Japan's fine traditions in Japan, by the hands of Japanese people.' Our museum embraces 'new challenges' and 'bonds' as its core principles (宗), aiming to inherit, create, and develop netsuke and the surrounding culture. With missions to 'captivate', 'nurture', and 'connect', we operate as a museum open to the community and to everyone.
It is managed as part of Sagawa Printing's patronage activities and opened in September 2007. Approximately 400 contemporary netsuke are displayed in the 'Former Kamioka Residence', a historically designated cultural property of Kyoto City, which is one of the few remaining samurai residences in Kyoto City that combines the characteristics of both a samurai residence and a Kyoto townhouse (gōshi, an upper-class farmer's residence).
Kyoto Seisou Netsuke Museum
46-1 Mibu Kayagoshomachi, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City
https://www.netsukekan.jp/
Sagawa Printing Co., Ltd.
[Contact for this matter]
Sagawa Printing Co., Ltd., Sales Planning Department (Public Relations)
TEL: 075-934-8010 E-mail: sp-eigyokikaku@spcom.co.jp