Treasures Legends in Miniatures

Featuring over 200 antique and fine 17th to 20th century examples representing the different schools and styles of their native Japanese culture. Netsuke (pronounced "net-skay") are intricate miniature carvings used as toggles to attach an inro (carrying box) or sagemono (hanging pouch) to the traditional Japanese obi sash. They incorporate a wide variety of subjects, including themes from daily life, animals, and legendary and imaginary figures. As such, they often reflect the culture and social life of Edo period Japan.

Materials represented will include ebony, boxwood, cypress, stag, and elk antler, amber, coral, jade, turquoise, elephant, and mammoth ivory, hippo tusk and porcelain. Antique inro and ojime will also be highlighted.

A Little History

The Japanese word netsuke, loosely translated, means "root attachment.: The absence of pockets in the kimono made netsuke a necessary, functional part of Japanese attire. Their basic origin can be traced to the Muromachi period (1336 - 1568 A.D.), when they presumably worn as toggles attached to a cord tucked under the belt or sash (obi), from which were suspended various objects known as koshisage, of sagemono (hanging things). The netsuke from this period were natural forms such as shells, gourds, bones, stones, ot uncarved pieces of wood.

The decorated netsuke undoubtedly came into use late in the 16th or early 17th century, when it was the fashion of samurai and the aristocratic classes to carry inro. The inro was a small flat box,usually containing several compartments, and was used to carry medicine or seals. The compartments were neatly fitted, one on top of the other, and were held together by a cord that passed through a bead fastener called an ojime. These early netsuke were simple in design and generally fashined in wood, although some in bone, ivory, metal and lacquer are also attributed to this period.

By the latter part of the 17th century the tobacco pouch, held in place at the waist by cord and netsuke, came into use and during the 18th century the practice of pipe smoking became very widespread. The use of these items resulted in a large increase on the demand for netsuke, and netsuke became a status symbol, its style and value corresponding to the position and wealth of the wearer.

Netsuke are generally classified into such types as katabori, kagamibuta, manju, ryusa, and sashi. Katabori are netsuke carved in the form of human beings, animals, or groups of these. Kagamibuta are bowl-shaped netsuke,usually of ivory, bone, or horn, with a second part consisting of a metal lid or cover. Manju netsuke are usually round and flat in the space of the cake called manju. One type is solid, while a second type consists of two equal sections fitted together. Ryusa netsuke are actually a variety of manju, with the two sections more hollowed out. Sashi is an elongated netsuke, simple in design, five to seven inches in length.

The carvers of netsuke employed an almost endless variety of materials in creating their products. Although wood, because of its ready availability and its historical use for carving Buddhist images, was the most common medium, ivory ran it a close second in popularity in the later periods, and was the first choice of medium for contemporary netsuke.

Subject matter of antique and contemporary netsuke draw from the natural world of flowers, insects, and animals, as well as the vast reservoir of Japanese folklore, history, literature, religion,theater, customs, and social life. The design, like that of other art forms, falls into three artistic levels: reproduced realities, imaginary or exaggerated extensions of realities, and abstractions and impressions. They were designed and carved to be complete in every detail on all sides, and usually could stand with perfect balance when not being worn. Very often, once a good design had been created the netsuke carver repeated it again and again, and even his students and followers copied the identical designs.

Modern netsuke are being carved in a variety of materials as the Washington Convention for the Protections of Flora and Fauna banned the international ivory trade. Contemporary netsuke can be expensive, with top pieces selling for $10,000 to $15,000 or more.

The flowering of this are of miniature sculpture paralleled the longest peaceful period in Japanese history (Edo, 1603 - 1868 A.D.). During this time, Japan had very little contact with the rest of the world. Because of the lack foreign influence, the art of netsuke carving, like the art of woodblock printing, which also flourished during this period, represents an expressions of pure Japanese creativeness, beauty and artistic skill.

Through netsuke you will be introduced to the life and customs, the history and the religion of the Japanese people of that period through an art form captivating in its whimsy and incredible in its beauty.