Complete Information about Ivory Netsuke

by Mayra Thomas Content writer

Invented in 17^th century Japan, Netsuke is a miniature sculpture that was used as a small toggle. This was so because Traditional Japanese garments—robes called kosode and kimono—had no pockets; however, men who wore them needed a place to store their personal belongings, such as pipes, tobacco, money, seals, or medicines. Therefore, Japanese used to hang their regular utilitarian articles (small money pouches, tobacco pouches, and medicine cases (inro) or seal) from their sash or belt (obi) and in order to prevent them falling to the ground, Netsuke was used.

During the Edo period in Japan, around 1615-1868, Netsuke production was at the summit. Netsuke evolved over time from being only functional into objects of great artistic value and a look of amazing craftsmanship. These objects have a long history showing the significant features of Japanese legend and life.

Features of Netsuke

•    Has a hole or a channel (himotoshi) to put the cord through in order to serve as a toggle attached to hanging objects.
•    Not have easily broken parts
•    Comparatively small for easy handling i.e. it is generally as large as you can hold in your hand.
•    The usual materials used in Netsuke include:
•    ivory
•    boxwood
•    hardwoods
•    metal
•    hippopotamus tooth
•    boar tusk
•    rhinoceros horn
•    clay/porcelain
•    lacquer
•    cane (woven)
•    The unusual materials used in Netsuke include:
•    Hornbill ivory
•    Umimatsu (A species of black coral)
•    Umoregi (Partially fossilized wood)
•    Walrus tusk
•    Whale's tooth
•    Whale bone
•    Teeth (including boar, bear, and even tiger)
•    Tagua nut (The nut from the ivory palm (Phytelephas aequatorialis), often referred to as vegetable ivory)
•    Walnut (or kurumi - natural walnut shell)
•    Bamboo
•    Agate
•    Ivorine
•    The various forms of Netsuke are but not limited to:
•    katabori-netsuke
•    anabori-netsuke
•    sashi-netsuke
•    obi-hasami
•    men-netsuke
•    manju-netsuke
•    ryusa-netsuke
•    kagamibuta-netsuke
•    karakuri-netsuke
•    Mask netsuke
•    Ryusa-netsuke
•    Manju-netsuke
•    Trick netsuke
•    Dual-purpose Netsuke including Hihataki Netsuke

Depiction of Netsuke Artifacts

Netsuke sculptures reflect the nature of the society. There are single and simple objects as well as entire scenes from history, mythology, or literature. The Netsuke carvings could be related to subjects, such as:
•    Famous and anonymous people
•    Current and historical people
•    Real and fictitious people
•    Craft, trades, professions, such as, fishermen catching fish, woodcutters cutting wood, a stylized apple for an orchardist or apple merchant
•    Children
•    Warriors
•    Priests
•    Zodiac animals and others
•    Plants or plant products such as beans or chestnuts
•    Deities and mythical creatures
•    Non-living things that include roof tiles, coins, and tools
•    Abstract patterns and designs
•    Sexual such as Shunga netsuke depicting a male and female in sexual conjugation or may contain only subtle or symbolic sexual references.
Ivory Netsuke is one of the treasured minuscule statuettes which depicts the Japanese culture and is worth making a part of your home décor.

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