Government of Pará receives Japanese art exhibition in celebration of 130 years of friendship between Brazil and Japan
Contemporary Netsuke exhibition is open to the public until October 2, at the Fidanza Gallery, featuring wooden sculptures and interactive spaces
The State Secretariat of Culture (Secult), in partnership with the Consulate of Japan and the Japan Foundation, promotes the exhibition "Contemporary Netsuke – Sculpted in Wood" at the Fidanza Gallery, in the Museum of Sacred Art, in Belém. The exhibition, which celebrates 130 years of friendship between Brazil and Japan, brings together 63 pieces of netsuke – small object holders traditionally used in Japanese clothing – now transformed into artistic expressions sculpted in wood.
With free admission until October 2, the exhibition allows the public not only to observe but also to interact with some of the works. Some pieces can be handled, providing a sensory experience that values the texture of the wood and the marks of time, elements appreciated in traditional Japanese aesthetics.
Historical Rescue and Cultural Connection
Originating from the Edo period (1603–1868), netsuke was a functional accessory used to attach small objects, such as tobacco pouches, to kimonos. With the westernization of Japanese clothing, it lost its utilitarian function but became established as an art and collectible object, preserving Japan's cultural richness and craftsmanship.
For the Chief Consul of Japan in Belém, Tomoio Sakamoto, the realization of the exhibition on Pará soil has great symbolic relevance.
“The realization of this exhibition in Belém is extremely significant, especially this year as we celebrate 130 years of friendship between Brazil and Japan. The works presented are part of our cultural heritage, and bringing them to Pará reinforces this historical bond. Moreover, the Japanese community in the State is the third largest in the country, and events like this strengthen this bridge of connection between Brazilians and Japanese,” said the consul.
Space for Dialogue Between Cultures
The head of Secult, Ursula Vidal, emphasized that the initiative reinforces the Government of Pará's commitment to valuing cultural and diplomatic exchanges.
“We have very deep cultural and diplomatic relations with Japan, and the cultural spaces of Secult are always generously open for events that strengthen this presence and this heritage in Pará. This exhibition, in addition to showcasing the delicacy of Japanese craftsmanship, also carries a historical component that narrates ways of life, territories, and traditions. It is an honor for us to host this exhibition, a result of the partnership with the Consulate of Japan, and we reaffirm that our doors will always be open for initiatives that strengthen cultural, diplomatic, and emotional ties between Brazil and Japan,” she stated.
Public Impressions
Visitors who passed through the Fidanza Gallery highlighted the beauty and richness of the pieces. Engineer Olavo Kondo was one of those enchanted by the exhibition.
“I came through the Japanese consulate and even without knowing many details at first, I must say I was impressed by the richness of details presented in each sculpture. It is worth getting to know,” he commented.
Service
Exhibition "Contemporary Netsuke – Sculpted in Wood"
📍 Fidanza Gallery – Museum of Sacred Art of Pará (Rua Siqueira Mendes, 276 – Cidade Velha, Belém)
📅 Until October 2
🕐 Tuesday to Thursday, from 9 am to 2 pm | Friday to Sunday, from 9 am to 5 pm
💡 Free admission
Text: Painah Silva (Ascom Secult)
