Portland Japanese Garden

From Damsels to Demons:
The Hidden Art of Netsuke Carving

June 19 – July 5

Garden hours

Included with Garden admission

More than 300 years ago, inventive Japanese artisans came up with a unique and practical solution to a bothersome everyday problem. As sleek and elegant a garment as the kimono was, it had no pockets. By tucking a small counterweight into the obi sash of the kimono, daily necessities such as tobacco pouches and medicine boxes (inro) could be suspended from a cord that would hang below the sash. The netsuke was invented. Over time, what began as a functional and simply crafted toggle became a miniature work of art, a status symbol dangling from the sash of a dashing gentleman.

Carved with consummate artistry into a wide variety of imaginative shapes by master craftsmen, netsuke have much to tell us about the customs and folklore of traditional Japan. Worn partially concealed beneath the outer cloaks of the wearer, they served as functional good luck charms, as humorous personal mascots, or as treasured miniature works of art.

This exhibition celebrates the Marian Plumb Miller Collection of more than 100 netsuke, which was generously presented to the Portland Japanese Garden in memory of her aunt Mrs. Inez Plumb Miller in 1998. Highlighted by the work of photographer Jonathan Ley, the exhibition explores the legends and characters depicted in these intricate carvings.

See selections from the exhibition in our special web feature, Netsuke-a-Day!

In addition to traditional pieces from the Miller Collection, the exhibition features the work of two contemporary netsuke artists, British-born sculptor Nick Lamb and American sculptor Janel Jacobson, introducing new directions inspired by this traditional Japanese art form. Mr. Lamb will be present to demonstrate his artistry on June 19 & 20, 1-3pm, in the Pavilion.

Opening Lecture & Reception

World on a String:
LACMA Curator Speaks on Netsuke

Sunday, June 20

7:30-9:30pm in the Pavilion

Reservations required, space is limited

This event is sold out. Please call (503) 542-0280 with any questions.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art Curator Hollis Goodall is one of the world's leading experts on netsuke. Engaged at LACMA since 1981, with a two-year hiatus as Research Fellow at the University of Kyoto in Japan between 1986 and 1988, Goodall oversees installations in the Pavilion for Japanese Art, planning of exhibitions for the Japanese department and in cooperation with other museum departments, educational programs, web programming, collection management, growth, and research. She has done extensive research on netsuke in support of LACMA's remarkable Bushell Collection of netsuke, and in mid-2003 she completed work on the book The Raymond and Frances Bushell Collection of Netsuke: A Legacy at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Hollis will discuss how to look at netsuke and explain some of the legends and images represented in the Garden's own Miller Collection as well as in LACMA's Bushell Collection.

Guest Netsuke Artists:
Nick Lamb & Janel Jacobson

Just as the art of garden design found its way west more than 100 years ago, so too the art of netsuke carving is now practiced by a handful of dedicated master craftsmen and women in the United States and in Europe. In addition to netsuke carvings from the Garden’s permanent collection, a selection of the work of two contemporary netsuke artists, Nick Lamb and Janel Jacobson will be featured in the exhibition. Nick Lamb will demonstrate his artistry during the opening weekend (see below).

Netsuke Carving Demonstrations

Father's Day Weekend—

Saturday & Sunday, June 19 & 20

1-3pm in the Pavilion

Included with Garden admission

Internationally known netsuke carver Nick Lamb will demonstrate his craft and be on hand to talk with visitors June 19 & 20, 1-3pm, in the Pavilion.