Netsuke: unique Japanese miniature sculpture

Arts & Activities, Jan, 2002 by Berniece Patterson

Netsuke is a small, sculptural art that communicated social values as part of a custom in Japanese society during the early days, especially in the Edo era. Cause and effect are apparent in this history lesson, as there was a change in history due to the influence of Western culture, which resulted in a change the purpose of netsuke. Netsuke became an important part of the historical record of Japanese society and is still considered a unique art form today.

With background knowledge the function and aesthetics of netsuke, and an understanding of the historical context of this time period, fifth- and sixth-grade students modeled their own netsuke from clay.

HISTORY Netsuke dates back to the 15th century and was simply a natural object such as a piece of root, bone, shell, wood or stone, which was pierced by two holes (himatoshi) so that a cord could be passed through it. Netsuke was used to fasten small objects, such as money pouches, knives, tobacco pouches and small boxes, to kimono sashes. Since there were no pockets in the kimono, netsuke was the answer for carrying small items.

The meaning of "ne" in netsuke is root, and "tsuke" means attach, so the word netsuke can be loosely translated to mean root attachment. "Net-ski" is a very popular pronunciation, while "netskeh" seems to be closer to the way that the Japanese pronounce the word.

It is believed that the introduction of tobacco into Japan by the Portuguese in 1542 was an important reason for the creation of a large amount of netsuke so that tobacco pouches and pipes could be suspended from the waist. The netsuke, which was fastened at the end of a cord to hold the snuff box or tobacco pouch, was very functional in preventing the objects from slipping through the sash (obi) of the wearer, as it served as a counterweight or toggle. A sliding bead (ojime), which was strung on the cord, would tighten or loosen the opening of the hanging objects (sagemono).

In the late 16th or early 17th century, the netsuke became a circle or a disc which was artistically engraved. Animals, fruits, flowers, people, small masks and insects were represented on the netsuke.

The engraved netsuke was important to the aristocratic classes and samurai, as it became the fashion for them to carry tiny, decorated boxes (inro) which contained medicine or one's seal (han) and a red ink pad. Wearing a netsuke became a status symbol, and its style and value indicated the position and wealth of the person who was wearing it.

The average netsuke was only between 2 and 6 cm in height and 2 to 3 cm in thickness, however, details of a complete house or boat filled with a large number of people or animals were sometimes illustrated.

The two holes were positioned so that the netsuke was balanced to sit or stand naturally, and the best side would face outward. The placement of the exit hole was very important in balancing, because it marked the center of the netsuke's gravity and carried the weight of the sagemono. The exit hole was smaller than the knot hole. The knot would either sit inside the hole or rest outside it.

The aesthetics were also important, so the holes were usually carved so that they were camouflaged in the design. The cord holes were formed on the side to be worn next to the body or, instead of drilling holes, the carver sometimes designed a natural separation, such as forming a space between a leaf and a stem.

The 70-year period between 1780 and 1850 is often referred to as the golden age of netsuke. The number of carvers increased, and a large amount of fine, quality netsuke was produced with a variety of materials and designs. Osaka, Nagoya, Kyoto and Tokyo (Edo) were the cities where most of the carvers lived and were the locations of wholesale stores specializing in netsuke.

The years between 1850 and 1875 marked the decline of netsuke due to several factors. When Commodore Perry arrived in Japan in 1853 and foreign trade was reopened, kimonos were replaced with Western-style clothing with pockets, and cigarettes became more popular than pipes. Until that time, foreign trade with Japan had been forbidden for over two centuries. Wearing inro and netsuke became a part of the past for the upper classes and samurai. At this point, netsuke became collectors' items.

CATEGORIES The following five categories of netsuke are considered to be special: metal, porcelain, lacquer, mask and kagamibuta (mirror lid). Each of these were made by experts. In other words, potters made the porcelain netsuke, and lacquerers produced the lacquer netsuke.

The sword smiths formed the kagamibuta, which included the ancient, polished metal mirror lids or disks of ivory, horn, stag antler, porcelain, wood and lacquer. The mask carvers fashioned the masks, which were miniature versions of the masks used in Noh and Kyogen plays. Casters or wrought-metal artists created the metal netsuke.

One would evaluate netsuke based on quality of design, material, skill and subject matter. In the beginning, it was important for the carver to produce small, rounded netsuke without any sharp edges or points, because it was worn between the obi and the hip.