Japanese Netsuke: Collectors Delight

Japanese netsuke, while it served with a practical purpose in seventeenth century Japan, has in recent times become a treasured art form with immense historical value to both the Western and Eastern worlds. These carved clasps contain such detail as to hold its own in the critical circles of the art world. The time taken to craft the small, almost animate-like figurines leaves a feeling of awe in those who see and touch them. There are stories that art pieces tell with each nick and crevice created by their maker is priceless. It reflects the histories of this cultured and progressive civilization.

The netsuke began as a means of closure. During the Edo period, the robes and kimonos of the Japanese people were without pockets and in a world that based its value system off of simplicity and nature, purses and such of great adornment were looked down upon. From this state of mind and need for a practical means of storing and caring valuables and necessities on one's person, the idea of having a small purse-the inro- evolved. This small purse of clutch could be hung from a string and hidden beneath one's robes. The netsuke became the means by which a person could clasp the purse to his or her neck.

Quite a bit of time and thought were put into the Japanese netsuke. Yes, they were meant to be simple and practical. However, the Japanese culture is rich with myths and spiritualism. It is no wonder that such ideas would present themselves in the forms of the netsuke. People, places, things, religion, sex, no category was left unturned and the netsuke has represented them all. These pieces were made from materials such as hardwoods and ivory, stone and whatever else an artisan could find that was malleable enough to be carved but sturdy enough to be used as more than a trinket.

The Japanese netsuke packs quite a punch for such a small item. The value that they hold today, with aesthetics only, is equal to that of their practical value in Japan during the seventeenth century. They can be found in private homes, popular museums and even on some persons as jewelry or the like. So, while the use of the netsuke has evolved in to something other than what it was created for it is still a treasure to be had and admired by all.

Anita Satin Choudhary writes for JapaneseNetsuke.org. Browse the gallery for a collection of Japanese netsuke and get more information.

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Ivory Netsuke - Exquisite Carvings for Display

Netsuke came about during Japan's seventeenth century (Edo period). These carved pieces were created for practical purposes - used as the clasps of corded purses that were hidden on a person and held valuables such as monies, tobacco, and jewelry, some even held important papers and the like. The netsuke was well known for both their utility and aesthetic value. These carved pieces often depicted people, places, things, sexual values as well as religious ones, etc. They were carved from materials such as hardwoods, onyx and most favorably: ivory.

Ivory is what an animal's tooth is considered to be when used for material purposes. Often the name of the animal is used when describing something as ivory: elephant ivory pendant, boars tooth ivory sculptures, mammoth ivory and the like. The Japanese would often use ivory for netsuke because of its simplistic beauty. During this time, and even now, the concept of Wabi-Sabi was a popular one. This concept, the honoring of beauty in the mundane to an enlightened level formed some of the core values of that period. Ivory allowed a person to express this beauty in the form of ornamentation without defacing the value of it.

The use of ivory netsuke was a practical choice as well. This material was a durable one for the most part. While historians today do not have many remnants of ancient ivory pieces, due to their susceptibility to the elements, newly made pieces, and netsuke during the seventeenth century lasted quite some time if well cared for. In some cases, depending on the mammals tooth used, pieces were more durable that others. With this in mind, some teeth cannot be used in the carving of ivory because of their strength and hardness. Certain teeth are just unable to be carved.

What has been preserved of ancient Japanese Ivory Netsuke has opened the world of Easter histories to experts and enthusiasts today. The ivory netsuke are a perfect representation of not only the art and craftsmanship of Edo period Japan but also the life styles, ideologies, relationships, and core values of the peoples alive during that time. With the netsuke representing the myths, history, and culture of this time period, an unlimited source of insight and knowledge is available to the world today. As they physically clasp together the ends of a cord, so to, do they bridge the distance between two very different worlds.

Select from a wide variety of netsuke carved from numerous materials, if you are looking for a specific piece. There are online stores that sell these at affordable prices to help you own netsuke.

Anita Satin Choudhary writes for Ivory Netsuke Gallery. Browse the gallery for unique collection of ivory netsuke at Ivory Netsuke

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Significance of Japanese Netsuke in Art

The major significance of the Japanese netsuke lie in their practical beginnings and becomes solidified with their metamorphosis into a cultural art form. The netsuke originated in Japan around the late sixteen hundreds and became steadily popular amongst the male classes throughout the late 1800's. This is considered the Edo period of Japan a time greatly focused on the morality of the people and war. The code of the Samurai greatly influenced the region during this time as well as the root of Zen Buddhism. Because of this latter influence care was taken to add simplicity to ones way of life and this was especially represented in the clothing of the time.

Men wore robes and tunics of simple materials with little to no adornment and minus pockets. Because of this it became necessary for them to find ways to store necessities on their person. Tobaccos, pipes, papers and even money were stored in containers or pockets that were hung around their neck and placed beneath their garments for safe keeping. These "purses" were held by rope or twine that was clasped at the base of the neck by the netsuke.

This netsuke evolved from simply clasps to a variety of styles and forms. The Kataborinesuke (sculpture netsuke) was and is the most popular group of these objects. They were often made of the more fancy materials and depicted animals and religious motifs. They were one to five inches long. Other sets of netsuke include the Anaborinetsuke (hollowed netsuke), Sashinetsuke, Obihasami, and the Mennetsuke or Mask Netsuke.

Often times the netsuke was the extent of adornment and jewelry worn by the men of the Edo period. These button like toggles were often crafted from materials such as ivory, box wood and hard wood. Whatever materials were present in the area were used for these clasps. As they gained popularity and became more of an art form and depiction of character raw materials such as metal, hippo tooth, boar tusk, and lacquer became the prime materials used in the creation of these little figurines.

As both a utilitarian form and art form the Japanese netsuke often depicted every day life of Edo Japan: people, places, things, sex, religion, and trade. Today these figurines have become a means for later generations to see a way of like long since extinct. Japan has always been rich in history and culture. Their art has always been one of great merit and influence among both the western and eastern cultures. The netsuke is just one of the many remaining remnants of proof to such claims.

Anita Satin Choudhary writes for JapaneseNetsuke.org. Browse the gallery for unique collection of netsuke and get more information about Japanese netsuke.

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