The World of Netsuke: Miniature Sculpture of Japan

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What is netsuke?

Netsuke is a form of miniature sculpture that developed in Japan over a period of more than 300 years.

Netsuke served both functional and aesthetic purposes. The kimono, the traditional form of Japanese dress, had no pockets. Women would tuck small personal items into their sleeves, but men suspended their tobacco pouches, pipes, purses, or writing implements on a silk cord from their obi (kimono sash). These hanging objects are called sagemono. To stop the cord from slipping through the obi, a small toggle was attached. The toggle is called a netsuke. (The most popular pronunciation is "net-ski", while the actual Japanese is closer to "netskeh"). A sliding bead (ojime) was strung on the cord between the netsuke and the sagemono to tighten or loosen the opening of the sagemono.

The entire ensemble was then worn, at the waist, and functioned as a sort of removable hip pocket. All three objects (the netsuke, the ojime and the different types of sagemono) were often beautifully decorated with elaborate carving, lacquer work, or inlays of rare and exotic materials, including: wood, ivory, precious metals, shell, coral, and semi-precious stones. All three items developed into highly coveted and collectible art forms.

-information from the International Netsuke Society



Image by Rama

After you've explored this lens, please visit World of Netsuke for more information and listings.

 

Netsuke Gallery 

Zemin - Blind Men Fighting - netsuke - LACMA by Marshall Astor - Food Pornographer

Zemin - Blind Men Fi...

Kogetsusai  Naomasa - Kintaro - netsuke - LACMA by Marshall Astor - Food Pornographer

Kogetsusai Naomasa...

Kikugawa Family - Shoki Mounted on Chinese Lion - netsuke - LACMA - 2 by Marshall Astor - Food Pornographer

Kikugawa Family - Sh...

Suzuki Tokoku - Owl - netsuke - LACMA by Marshall Astor - Food Pornographer

Suzuki Tokoku - Owl...

Kosai Moritoshi - Gentoku Escaping - netsuke - LACMA by Marshall Astor - Food Pornographer

Kosai Moritoshi - Ge...

Kaigyokusai (Masatsugu) - Raijin, God of Thunder - netsuke - LACMA by Marshall Astor - Food Pornographer

Kaigyokusai (Masatsu...

artist unknown - European Lady - netsuke - LACMA by Marshall Astor - Food Pornographer

artist unknown - Eur...

Kishosai - Farmer Viewing Moonrise - netsuke - LACMA by Marshall Astor - Food Pornographer

Kishosai - Farmer Vi...

Naomitsu - Kugatsume Halting a Runaway Horse - netsuke - LACMA by Marshall Astor - Food Pornographer

Naomitsu - Kugatsume...

Suzuki Tokoku - Owl - netsuke - LACMA - label by Marshall Astor - Food Pornographer

Suzuki Tokoku - Owl...

Kaigyokusai (Masatsugu) - Raijin, God of Thunder - netsuke - LACMA - label by Marshall Astor - Food Pornographer

Kaigyokusai (Masatsu...

Naomitsu - Kugatsume Halting a Runaway Horse - netsuke - LACMA - label by Marshall Astor - Food Pornographer

Naomitsu - Kugatsume...

Kaigyokusai (Masatsugu) - Ryuan, a Daoist Immortal - netsuke - LACMA - label by Marshall Astor - Food Pornographer

Kaigyokusai (Masatsu...

Kaigyokusai (Masatsugu) - Ryuan, a Daoist Immortal - netsuke - LACMA by Marshall Astor - Food Pornographer

Kaigyokusai (Masatsu...

Forms of netsuke 

kataborinetsuke or "sculpture netsuke" - this is the most familiar style, a compact three-dimensional figure carved in the round, usually around one to three inches high


  • anaborinetsuke or "hollowed netsuke" - subset of katabori which is hollowed-out and carved within; the most common are scenes in clams
  • sashinetsuke - this is an elongated form of katabori, literally "stab" netsuke, similar in length to the sticks and gourds used as improvised netsuke before carved pieces were produced, about six inches long
  • obi-hasami - another elongated netsuke with curved top and bottom. It sits behind the obi with the curved ends visible above and below the obi.


  • mennetsuke or "mask netsuke" - the largest category after katabori, these were often imitations of full size noh masks, and share characteristics in common with both katabori and manju/kagamibuta

    manjunetsuke or "manju netsuke"- a thick, flat, round type of netsuke, with carving usually done in relief, sometimes made of two ivory halves. Shaped like a manju.


    ryusanetsuke - shaped like a manju, but carved like lace, so that light shines completely through

    kagamibutanetsuke or "mirror lid netsuke" - shaped like a manju, but with a metal disc serving as lid to a shallow bowl, usually of ivory. The metal is often highly decorated with a wide variety of metallurgical techniques.


    karakurinetsuke or "trick/mechanism netsuke" - any netsuke that does something, ones with moving parts or hidden surprises

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    International Netsuke Society 

    devoted to the study and appreciation of netsuke

    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.
    Membership in the society, founded in 1975, includes a subscription to its quarterly, 60-page, color, illustrated magazine, the International Netsuke Society Journal. Among the other Society activities are a biennial convention held in the United States and local chapter meetings in the United States, Japan and Europe. There are over 625 society members living in 31 different countries.

    Materials used to create netsuke 

    A variety of materials have been used to create netsuke. These include:

  • wood - the most common. Boxwood was especially popular.
  • ivory - a close second. Of course, ivory is no longer used anymore.
  • narwhal - a type of whale. The tusk and upper jawbone were used for carving.
  • horn
  • metal - mainly copper alloys
  • lacquer
  • bamboo - different parts of the bamboo plant were used: the root (chikkon), the stem, and woven split bamboo
  • natural and carved gourds
  • shell
  • rattan

  • Recommended netsuke books 

    These are some of the books a netsuke collector would want to read. To see even more, click here.

    world-of-netsuke.com 

    learn more about netsuke, inro, ojime, and sagemono



    The World of Netsuke is dedicated to netsuke and all things related. You can see antique, vintage, and modern pieces (some are very affordable) and learn more about this delightful art form.

    If you are looking for specific information, you can go directly to:

    What Is Netsuke?
    Netsuke Resources
    Netsuke Bibliography
    Netsuke Books for Sale
    Netsuke Slide Show - Los Angeles County Museum of Art

    What is netsuke? 

    Netsuke Part one - What are this little scalpture?

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    More netsuke resources 

    Koryuen: Netsuke
    Information about exhibitions, events, and publications, in English and Japanese
    Netsuke
    A very informative and interesting netsuke site created by Ko Baas, a netsuke enthusiast from the Netherlands.
    Netsuke Message Board
    Netsuke Message Board, a forum for netsuke collectors
    Asian Art Newspaper
    Asian Art is published 10 times a year. It covers the entire Asian art world from East Asia and Southeast Asia arts to Himalayan and South Asian arts.
    AntiquesWeb
    Antiques and collectibles classifieds and dealer directory; free listings
    Smithsonian Netsuke Collection
    an eGallery featuring netuske at the Freer Gallery of Art/Arthur M. Sackler Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution
    The Carving Path
    The Carving Path Forum welcomes carvers from many disciplines, whose work involves small scale carving. The goal of the forum is to provide a friendly, informative and accessible place for communication and learning. If you create and/or collect netsuke, I think you'll find it very interesting.
    Contemporary Netsuke Exhibit
    Online exhibit of contemporary netsuke at the Museum of Arts and Design. Be sure to view the History of Netsuke and click on the link for the PDF Teachers' Resource Packet as well.
    World Collectors Net
    Netsuke information and discussions at worldcollectorsnet.com
    Hiromitsu Japan
    Hiromitsu Japan sells netsuke and other Japanese antiques. Looking at their selection is a real treat!

    Some netsuke auctions now on eBay 

    eBay is a good place to get started because you can find everything from antique to modern netsuke and a wide range of prices. In addition to the auctions shown below, you can find more here.

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    eBay

    An Antique Ivory Japanese Netsuke  

    Antique Ivory Japanese Netsuke - Edo/Meiji Period Zouge

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    Sterling Sculptures 

    Tom Sterling, sculptor and netsuke resource

    Artist Tom Sterling is a sculptor who has created fantastic netsuke. Although he no longer makes them (but check out his incredible knives and baskets), his website is a good netsuke resource. Anyone who is interested in netsuke should take advantage of his generosity to download the pdf book Carving Netsuke: The Miniature Sculpture of Japan, Ancient Traditions, Modern Methods. Please note that this is an 18MB file. You'll find the link to the download here.

    You can view Sterling's netsuke sculptures, see a Netsuke in progress tutorial, and learn more about netuske at his site as well.

    Inro 

    This exploded view of an inro shows the names of the major features, according to Raymond Bushell in The Inro Handbook

    An inro is a case for holding small items and is one type of sagemono (see "What Is Netsuke?" above).


    Auction catalogs featuring netsuke and/or inro 

    Auction catalogs are printed in limited numbers and become collectibles virtually right after the auction. These catalogs include netsuke, inro, or related items. If you would like to see a bigger selection, click here.

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    eBay

    Japanese Art and Culture 

    If you are interested in learning more about Japanese art and culture, these websites will be of interest. I'll be adding more, so check back.
    Kateigaho International Edition - Japanese culture, arts, lifestyle magazine
    Kateigaho International Edition is a magazine featuring Japanese culture, arts, and lifestyle.
    Japanese Culture (English)
    A guide to the culture of Japan.
    The Art of Japan
    The Art of Japan explores in detail some of the many aspects of Japanese art, covering diverse topics ranging from the most traditional styles of painting to oddities of architecture.

    The site has five distinct sections based on types of Japanese art: origami, architecture, gardens, paintings, and sculpture. Included with each section are multimedia features including photo galleries, puzzles, and quizzes. Browse through this site and explore the world of Japanese art. Don't miss the section about netsuke.
    J.E. Berger Foundation
    The Berger Foundation has established a wonderful resource for those interested in the arts. After you reach the page linked to above, you can click on Asia and then Japan to see all of the photographs related to Japanese art. The collection covers all parts of the world, as you'll see from the other links available.

    Splendors of Imperial Japan: Arts of the Meiji Period From the Khalili Collection 

    beyond netsuke

    This book covers the 44 years of the Meiji period from 1868 to 1912. Organized both chronologically and by subject, it documents some of the finest pieces from the Early, Middle and Late Meiji Period with six special sections on Metalwork, 'Satsuma' ware, Lacquer, Enamels, Textiles and Porcelain.

    Splendors of Imperial Japan: Arts of the Meiji Period From the Khalili Collection (Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Japanese Art)

    Amazon Price: $100.00 (as of 07/05/2009)Buy Now
    List Price: $100.00
    Used Price: $62.99

    A fascinating and interesting book that sheds light on Japan's artistic traditions during the Meiji period (1868 - 1912). While Japan was becoming a constitutional nation-state, developing a modern industrial infrastructure, and winning wars against China and Russia, its leaders preserved and nurtured their country's art traditions.
    During this time Japan's artists and artisans created works whose beauty and quality astonished the nations of the civilized world. Netsuke were among these incredible creations.
    Author Joe Earle chairs the Department of Art of Asia, Oceania & Africa at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts. He's the author of Netsuke (see the first book in the Amazon module above) and has written or contributed to a number of books about Japan and Japanese art and history.

    more about netsuke on YouTube 


    Japanese Cowry Sea Shell Netsuke & Lidded Wooden Case

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    Thank you for visiting! 

    Silver_Lotus wrote...

    Thank you. Netsuke ARE wonderful!

    ReplyPosted April 25, 2009

    California_Dreamin wrote...

    Beautiful lens. The detail work of Japanese handicrafts is so impressive isn't it?

    ReplyPosted April 13, 2009

    Silver_Lotus wrote...

    Thank you!

    ReplyPosted April 11, 2009

    mbrownauthor wrote...

    Very interesting. This is a welcomed addition to the group, "Everything Vntage!"

    ReplyPosted April 09, 2009

    Silver_Lotus wrote...

    Thanks!

    ReplyPosted March 24, 2009

    nekoneko wrote...

    wow.. this is the first time i'm seeing it :D thanks for visiuting my japanese garden lens!

    ReplyPosted March 24, 2009

    Silver_Lotus wrote...

    They are wonderful, aren't they! Thank you for visiting.

    ReplyPosted February 26, 2009

    Jimmie wrote...

    These are new to me. What a beautiful, tiny thing to collect.

    ReplyPosted February 26, 2009

    Silver_Lotus wrote...

    Thank you for visiting and for your comments.

    ReplyPosted September 14, 2008

    Rokusan wrote...

    This is really very nice. Netsuke are one of those pieces of Japanese culture that highlights their ability to turn a mundane function into a work of art. 5*

    ReplyPosted September 14, 2008

     
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