Netsuke History

A netsuke is a form of miniature sculpture, which developed in Japan over a period of more than three hundred years. Netsuke served both functional and aesthetic purposes. The kimono, the traditional form of Japanese dress, had no pockets. Women would tuck small personal items into their sleeves, but men suspended their tobacco pouches, pipes, purses, or writing implements on a silk cord from their obi (kimono sash). These hanging objects are called sagemono. To stop the cord from slipping through the obi, a small toggle was attached. The toggle is called a netsuke. (The most popular pronunciation is "net-ski", while the actual Japanese is closer to "netskeh"). A sliding bead (ojime) was strung on the cord between the netsuke and the sagemono to tighten or loosen the opening of the sagemono.

Netsuke Decorations

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, or inlays of rare and exotic materials, including: wood, ivory, precious metals, shell, coral, and semi-precious stones. The netsuke and other items developed into highly coveted and collectible art forms.

Signed or Unsigned Netsuke

Are all netsuke signed? No, there are many great-unsigned netsuke. In fact, the netsuke considered by many experts to be the greatest of all is unsigned. It is an 18th century ivory netsuke depicting an Ama (Japanese diving girl) and a squid. Some collectors prefer unsigned netsuke works, since they avoid the controversy of whether the netsuke is by a famous artist, or just a copy.

New Netsuke

The newer netsuke are just as collectible and the older netsuke pieces and at a much reduced price as the older netsuke range from $1000.00 to $10,000.00 depending upon the artist.