| Japanese are known for their delicate carving. | | | | decorative mask netsuke which were miniature |
| Netsuke is basically miniature sculptures which | | | | replicas of the masks worn in the popular plays of |
| have now become a collectable item. Netsuke | | | | Noh and Kyogen. Another popular choice is the |
| was a carved piece on the cord of the | | | | carved human figure (katabori) and Kagamibuta, |
| (sagemono) or a hanging compartment, that was | | | | comprising of a set of netsuke which have a |
| kept tight by the cord bead or 'ojime', placed | | | | metal lid and bowl, handcrafted from ivory. A |
| between the 'inro' and the netsuke. The inro | | | | special name 'Netsukeshi' was given to the |
| hanged from the kimono sash (obi) and the | | | | carvers of netsuke, whose background was a |
| netsuke was placed below the sash, holding the | | | | sculptor and an artist. |
| Sagemono in its place. | | | | Although the popularity of collecting netsuke has |
| They used to have a practical purpose of being a | | | | gained popularity over the past few years, fakes |
| toggle which helped secure things that were | | | | are often sold to those who do not have a keen |
| hanged from the kimono. In the beginning, the | | | | eye to spot the difference. In case, you plan to |
| netsuke was made of wood, but later on more | | | | buy an original netsuke, it is best to consult |
| expensive materials came into being and you can | | | | someone who has been in the field of art |
| find old netsuke crafted out of amber, bone, | | | | collection or is an authority on the subject. There |
| antlers, ivory both elephant and marine with | | | | are many sites that sell classic reproductions of |
| exotic precious stone inlays and carvings. Netsuke | | | | these also which may not be valued on their |
| was in vogue from the 17th to the early part of | | | | antiquity but are prized due to their craftsmanship. |
| the 19th century but after the Meiji Restoration, it | | | | Many artists still carry the knowledge of crafting |
| gradually disappeared after Western clothes came | | | | netsuke that had been passed generation to |
| into focus. | | | | generation, but sell them as modern version as a |
| There are four types of netsuke basically: | | | | curio. You can search online and get many good |
| Katabori (common and compact), Manju (flat | | | | deals on intricate sculpted netsuke that might hold |
| resembling a button), Sashi (long and thin) and | | | | your attention due to the sheer beauty of the |
| Kagamibuta (lid and bowl). Collectors prefer the | | | | carving. |
| different styles of netsuke specially the | | | | |