Japanese Netsuke: Keeping It All Together

18th Century Japanese SamuraiThe illustration shows the hair, kimono,

sagemono, weapons, the Samurai sword.

18th Century Noblewoman and child

in court dress.

Obi (belt

)

Netsuke

Sagemono

Inro with Netsuke, Collection of Tucson Museum of

Art

Himotoshi

Netsuke

Ojime(bead)

Inro

Manju is a round shape netsuke that looks like a small rice cake or bun which is where it’s name

comes from.

The katabori is a miniature carving of a figure- person, animal or insect, sometimes a man-made object.

Sashi is an long thin shaped netsuke.

Boxwood trees are common in Japan. Netsuke were carved from boxwood.

They also use boxwood to create Bonsai trees.

Dragon Netsuke carved from wood,

Private Collection

walnut shell

hornbillstone

bone

ivory, coral, fiber, wood

Leather Tobacco Pouch with Netsuke attached Inlaid and Gold Lacquer Inro with Netsuke Both objects19th century, Collection of Phoenix Art Museum

Japanese woodblock print of Commander Perry and other high ranking American officials.

Matthew C. Perry c. 1856-58, in a photograph by Mathew Brady.  

Okimono of Musician, Collection of the

University of Arizona Museum of Art

Okimono Village Scenes, Private Collection

TokonomaJapanese Tokonoma