Inro Collection
The Japanese inro (stamp box) is a traditional multi-sectional box for holding small objects such as a stamp seal or medicines. The inro is suspended from the belt (obi) worn around the waist when wearing a kimono (traditional Japanese clothing). They were highly collectable to the Japanese as a way to personalise oneself due to the dull official dress code of the edo period (1615-1868). Highly decorated in different subject matter often in maki-e (lacquer). View The Japanese Gallery collection of Japanese Inro.
Netsuke Collection
The Japanese netsuke (sagamono toggle) were used to hold string drawn items such as Inro (stamp box), tobacco pouch, money bag ext. with the cord running behind the obi (belt), the netsuke would hold the sagamono to the waist. Carved out of many different materials and in different forms, the netsuke were highly collectable to the Japanese with many well-known makers creating masterpieces in their own right. View The Japanese Gallery collection of netsuke.
Makie Collection
Maki-e (sprinkled picture) is the Japanese craft of sprinkling metal powders over wet lacquer. The maki-e art goes back hundreds of years and has been a method of protecting objects of use to this day. Many layers of lacquer are built up by drying and polishing creating a gloss finish with many different designs creating beautiful but functional objects for daily use. View The Japanese Gallery collection of maki-e objects.
Metalwear Collection
Metalwork in japan has a long and poignant history. The need for armour and weaponry were in high demand during the feudal years were neighbouring warlords would battle regularly. By the edo period (1615-1868) Japan was united under the rule of the shogun and the need for armour and weapons were reduced, Ornamentation became the focus and the metalworking skills grew as a result. By the meiji period (1868-1912) weapons were banned and the weaponsmiths required work. Export objects were in high demand and so the metal workers took to art craft, creating some of the more highly intricate and beautiful items ever seen in metal. View The Japanese Gallery collection of metalware.
Ceramics Collection
Ceramics have been produced in Japan for thousands of years. Most likely having learned from the Chinese the Japanese have produced many wears from themselves and for export. The Portuguese and the Dutch were the first to trade until the Meiji period when the west became addicted to acquiring Japanese ceramics. View The Japanese Gallery collection of ceramics.
Shippo Collection
Shippo (seven treasures) refers to the art of Cloisonne. The craft of cloisonné has been practised in Japan for hundreds of years but came to fruition in the meiji period (1868-1912) where it was taken to technological heights never seen before around the world. Powdered enamels fired on to metal substrates and highly polished were time-consuming and labour intensive. The skills of the shippo craftsmen at the time crated objects of beauty cherished by the west and the Japanese themselves. These objects created at the time are not likely to be seen again due to the difficulty and effort needed. View The Japanese Gallery collection of shippo.
Nihonto Collection
Nihonto (Japanese sword) is an icon of japan. Deeply rooted in the culture of japan the Japanese sword holds many meanings and are a common object handed down through family lines from generation to generation. The blades are made of folded steel and polished to a perfect finish, housed in a lacquer sheath (saya) and dawned with finely made metal fittings. View The Japanese Galley collection of nihonto.
Kakejiku & Prints Collection
Kakejiku (Scroll painting) & Prints. Art has been an integral part of Japanese culture for thousands of years. The use of imagery in painting and printing has been influential around the world. All manner of subjects is depicted in Japanese paintings and prints such as nature, religion, mythology and calligraphy. Many see Japanese art having a huge influence on western modern art from the late 19th and early 20th century with Japanese prints being directly linked to the invention of modern advertising. View The Japanese Gallery collection of Kakejiku.
Miscellaneous collection
There are many varieties of Japanese art to be found that are not in to be found in the other collections. Objects such as religious carvings, basket weaving, textiles and many more. View the Japanese Gallery collection of miscellaneous objects.