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Netsuke: Japanese Miniature Carvings with Beauty and Function

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Japanese Miniature Carvings

Netsuke is a Japanese form of miniature sculpture of toggles. Men wearing kimonos, which don't have pockets, would keep their small personal items in a sagemono, a hanging object attached with a silk cord to their obi, the kimono sash (women just tucked their items in their sleeves). Netsuke is a toggle on the other end of the silk cord to keep the sagemono from falling off. These carved toggles were both functional and beautiful. The tradition of netsuke began in the 17th century. Netsuke is most commonly pronounced net-ski.

Books about Netsuke

Netsuke Resources

International Netsuke Society: The International Netsuke Society (formerly known as the Netsuke Kenkyukai Society) is devoted to the study and collection of netsuke and related sagemono art forms.
Netsuke Terminology: A glossary of terms that are related to netsuke.

Japanese Netsuke by Julia Hutt

Japanese Netsuke

by: Julia Hutt

Amazon Price: $241.59 (as of 06/03/2012)

Drawing on the Victoria and Albert Museum's fine collection, Japanese Netsuke examines these appealing, accessible, and often humorous works of art in the broadest possible context.
In a text that is both comprehensive and entertaining, Julia Hutt traces the history of netsuke, showing how these highly collectible objects originated from belt hangings used by nomads along the Silk Road. The stunning color photographs reveal the full range of subjects portrayed-images of animals, birds, and sea creatures, portraits of dancers and demons, droll cameos of characters from everyday urban life, even a rare poetic evocation of landscape-and the high level of skill involved in their creation. The richness and diversity of the materials used, as well as the different sources of inspiration, are also discussed, providing an indispensable guide for collectors and all those interested in Japanese decorative arts.

The Ivory Ban

The trade of ivory was banned in 1990. Since the ivory ban, other materials have been used to make netsuke like Tagau Nut, also knows as Vegetable Ivory, as well as hornbill ivory from the helmeted hornbill, walrus tusk, and animal teeth or bone, not mention other traditional non-ivory materials: wood, coral, agate, jade, and lacquer.

If you get the impression that an ivory piece is not old, do not buy it. New ivory purchasers are the cause of poaching which is doing great damage to the elephant population, and the money often goes into the hands of ruthless killers who will kill a human as easily as they do the endangered species.

Important!

Fakes!

If you are looking for an antique netsuke, be prepared to pick through fakes in your search. While often they are beautiful pieces of artwork on their own merit, many are marketed as antique when they are not.

Boxwood Netsuke

Netsuke Carved from Tagua Nut

Agate Netsuke

A Little About Netsuke

Netsuke Part one - What are this little scalpture?: by shats09 | video info

11 ratings | 8,729 views

curated content from YouTube

Jade Netsuke

Japanese Netsuke Display Cases

Feature your netsuke collection in style with one of these beautiful displays.

Netsuke Display Shelves

An interesting and complementary display case can make your netsuke look absolutely amazing!

Modern Netsuke

Netsuke Carver: Ko Baas: My name is Ko Baas. I live in the northern part of the Netherlands. On this site I tell you something about my hobby, which is carving netsuke.

Netsuke Guestbook

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RinchenChodron Jul 22, 2011 @ 9:56 pm | delete

I really love netsukes - my aunt collected a few. Very nice lens.

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Squidster Apr 22, 2008 @ 6:05 am | delete

Beautiful and very informative lens. I learn something new every day. Thanks for listing it in the Squidoo.Asia Directory!

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Euryale Apr 5, 2008 @ 9:47 pm | delete

I own a netsuke of a little boy wrestling with a large carp. It's amazingly detailed. Great lens!

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CrypticFragments Mar 23, 2008 @ 1:08 pm | delete

I like it! I have some Japanese lenses which I lensrolled you to and I rated you a 5. However for me, less is more, so I would consider not listing quite as many items for sale, as it becomes overwhelming looking through them all!