September 26, – December 20, 2026

In the first half of the 20th century, as dress shifted from traditional Japanese to Western styles, miniature making offered craftsmen who had worked on tobacco pouches and other accessories a new outlet for their skills. Kobayashi Rekisai (1884–1959), an exceptional master miniaturist, had originally made his living crafting traditional joinery pieces such as tobacco trays, as well as components for pouches and related accessories, including tobacco pipe cases and kohaze fasteners. As times changed, however, he increasingly turned his attention to miniatures. Kobayashi’s intricately crafted works became known through dealers specializing in pouches and related accessories. Among his customers were two men named Nakada : Nakada Tonosuke, an antique art dealer, and Nakada Minoru, who was born into a family of tea practitioners and became renowned as a stamp collector.
Nakada Tonosuke ran an antique art dealership near the Fujiya Hotel in Hakone. After closing his shop in the early years of the Showa era, he began collecting miniatures. Comprising both antique pieces and newly commissioned works by leading craftsmen such as Kobayashi, his collection was cataloged in Chushoan To’o Shushu Narabi Kansei Senko Bijutsuhin Mokuroku, published in 1940. The collection’s whereabouts remained unknown for many years, but through a fortunate turn of events, approximately 300 pieces eventually became part of the Tobacco and Salt Museum’s holdings.
The other Nakada, Nakada Minoru, also had a deep appreciation of Kobayashi’s work and went on to build an extensive collection of miniatures. The Tobacco and Salt Museum received the Nakada Minoru Collection as a donation in 1991 and has since organized a number of exhibitions devoted to miniatures. In preparation for the present exhibition, Nakada’s descendants generously provided anecdotes and new materials, allowing us to shed further light on the collection and its background.
This exhibition, named for the two Nakadas, presents the Nakada Tonosuke Collection, a recent addition to the museum’s holdings, while also exploring some of its connections with the Nakada Minoru Collection.

※Almost all information is given in Japanese only.

[General admission fees]

General (Adults and university students)
individual:300yen

Children and pupils of primary, juniorhigh, and high schools
individual:100yen

Visitors over 65 years old
individual:100yen

※Free admission for up to 1 accompanying person with disabilities upon presentation of a disability certificate (Mirairo ID is acceptable).

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  Writing table with writing utensils
  Writing table 1.7×3.5×1.4 (cm)

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  Screen with dadaiko drum design
  0.6×2.4×2.7 (cm)