The National Museum of Ethnology (Minpaku) is a research center for ethnology and cultural anthropology.

Topical Exhibits: Inuit Art of the Far North

Stone Sculpture

To earn money, the Inuit have produced sculptures since around 1950 using local minerals such as soap stone and serpentine, and also the ivory of walrus tusks. The Inuit express their traditional culture by carving animals of the Far North, hunting scenes, and human relationships, using a unique style which represents their world view. These have been in much demand from the buyers, but recently, more abstract works have also been produced.
 
Dancing Polar BearDancing Polar Bear