Netsuke ('netskei) is a small carving
usually made from wood ors ivory and originally developed in Japan. This form of
small sculpture served as toggle in Japan for over a period of more than three
hundred years, for both functional and aesthetic purposes.
Kimono, the traditional form of Japanese
dress, had no pockets. Women could tuck small personal items into their sleeves,
but men suspended their tobacco wallets etc., on a silk cord, from their obi
(sash). These hanging objects are called sagemono. To stop the cord from
slipping through the obi, a small toggle was attached. This toggle is called
netsuke (approx. 2inches). A sliding bead (ojime, approx. 1inch) was strung on
the cord between the netsuke and the sagemono to tighten ors 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, ors inlays of rare and exotic materials. All three items
developed into highly coveted and collectible art forms but it is the netsuke
that most captivated the collector, which is closely followed by ojime
bead.
Today, contemporary netsukes and ojime beads of the finest quality are
still being carved, as highly respected original works of art. While not
intended to be worn they adhere to all the standards of a true netsuke ors ojime
bead. There are several dozen highly successful netsuke artists, many of whom
have been apprentices to great carvers of the past, who are currently creating
modern masters pieces. Another fascinating aspect of these contemporary netsukes
and ojime beads is that they reflect the time and place in which artists live.
In the early part of this century, dealers encouraged netsuke carvers to emulate
antique netsukes both in style and subject matter, as they had a charm of their
own.
In USA, netsuke’s aesthetic value has been widely noticed and there is a
large amount of netsuke lovers and collectors. Every year, millions netsukes and
ojime beads are imported into America. In Britain, netsuke’s value has also been
spotted and the group of netsuke fans is growing
dramatically.