a monkey-shaped netsukea netsuke maintains an inro (box) in the obi (belt)Katabori Netsuke
Discover great deals on the many one of a kind items available only on eBay!

Netsuke

Japanese artists starting in the 17th century cleverly invented the miniature sculptures known as netsuke (Japanese:根付) to serve a very practical function. more...

HomeHome
AntiquitiesAntiquities
Architectural & GardenArchitectural & Garden
Asian AntiquesAsian Antiques
ChineseChinese
JapaneseJapanese
BowlsBowls
BoxesBoxes
Glasses, CupsGlasses, Cups
NetsukeNetsuke
Other ItemsOther Items
Paintings, ScrollsPaintings, Scrolls
PlatesPlates
PrintsPrints
VasesVases
OtherOther
Southeast AsianSoutheast Asian
Books, ManuscriptsBooks, Manuscripts
Decorative ArtsDecorative Arts
Ethnographic Ethnographic
FurnitureFurniture
Maps, Atlases, GlobesMaps, Atlases, Globes
MaritimeMaritime
Musical InstrumentsMusical Instruments
OtherOther
Other AntiquesOther Antiques
Primitives Primitives
Rugs, CarpetsRugs, Carpets
Science & MedicineScience & Medicine
SilverSilver
Textiles, LinensTextiles, Linens

(The two Japanese characters ne+tsuke mean "root" and "to suspend or hang" in reference to the roots and twigs used as toggles before carved netsuke were produced.) Traditional Japanese garments - robes called kosode and kimono - had no pockets. Men who wore them needed a place to keep personal belongings such as pipes, tobacco, money, seals, or medicines.

The elegant solution was to place such objects in containers (called sagemono) hung by cords from the robes' sash (obi). The containers might take the form of a pouch or a small woven basket, but the most popular were beautifully crafted boxes (inro), which were held shut by ojime, sliding beads on cords. Whatever the form of the container, the fastener that secured its cord at the top of the sash was a carved, button-like toggle called a netsuke.

Such objects, often of great artistic merit, have a long history reflecting important aspects of Japanese folklore and life. Netsuke production was most popular during the Edo period in Japan, around 1615-1868. Today, the art lives on and carvers, a few of whose modern works command high prices (US$10,000 to $100,000, or more), are in the UK, Europe, the USA, Japan and elsewhere. Prices at auctions in the USA for collectible netsuke typically range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. Inexpensive molded, faithful reproductions are available in museum shops and elsewhere for $30, or less.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]

Antique Japanese Faux Ivory Lion Carving L@K Nice!Antique Japanese Faux Ivory Lion Carving L@K Nice! $0.99 Jj255 Japanese Boxwood Netsuke Mouse & CornJj255 Japanese Boxwood Netsuke Mouse & Corn $9.99
Finest, exquisite Japanese inlayed Netsuke Boy & Drum Finest, exquisite Japanese inlayed Netsuke Boy & Drum $150.00 Japanese Boxwood Carved Dragon Inro (Pomander)Japanese Boxwood Carved Dragon Inro (Pomander)
Lovely old Japanese carved Netsuke Daruma Doll Seller Lovely old Japanese carved Netsuke Daruma Doll Seller $28.05 Jj108 Japanese Boxwood Netsuke A Vivid GooseJj108 Japanese Boxwood Netsuke A Vivid Goose $9.99
Jj234 Japanese Boxwood Netsuke Masl Of BuddhaJj234 Japanese Boxwood Netsuke Masl Of Buddha $9.99 Lovely Boxwood Netsuke: 2 Lying Mice In LoveLovely Boxwood Netsuke: 2 Lying Mice In Love $9.90
Japanese netsuke - sexy Sumo Wrestler standing,signedJapanese netsuke - sexy Sumo Wrestler standing,signed Jj267 Japanese Boxwood Netsuke A Running HorseJj267 Japanese Boxwood Netsuke A Running Horse $9.99
Japanese netsuke - samurai sits with GoldJapanese netsuke - samurai sits with Gold Hand Carved Old Japanese Oxbone Netsuke-reading manHand Carved Old Japanese Oxbone Netsuke-reading man $19.99
4 Antique Meiji Japanese carved okimono signed Joshen4 Antique Meiji Japanese carved okimono signed Joshen $800.00 Lovely Boxwood Netsuke: Masks Of 7 Japanese GodsLovely Boxwood Netsuke: Masks Of 7 Japanese Gods $9.90
Jj289 Japanese Boxwood Netsuke A FishJj289 Japanese Boxwood Netsuke A Fish $9.99 Japanese netsuke-Head rollinig Samurai sword,lanternJapanese netsuke-Head rollinig Samurai sword,lantern
Japanese netsuke - Samurai General stroke beard,sgnJapanese netsuke - Samurai General stroke beard,sgn Wood Stand For Figurine, Netsuke Carving Display Ws0006Wood Stand For Figurine, Netsuke Carving Display Ws0006 $4.00
Jj281 Japanese Boxwood Netsuke Mask Of A ManJj281 Japanese Boxwood Netsuke Mask Of A Man $9.99 Japanese netsuke-Head rollinig Samurai gourd wine jugJapanese netsuke-Head rollinig Samurai gourd wine jug
Lovely Boxwood Netsuke: Nude Mermaid Hiding in ShellLovely Boxwood Netsuke: Nude Mermaid Hiding in Shell $12.50 Lovely Boxwood Netsuke: Rolling SnakeLovely Boxwood Netsuke: Rolling Snake $12.50
L1515:Boxwood Netsuke: God of longevityL1515:Boxwood Netsuke: God of longevity Boxwood Carved Japanese Person NetsukeBoxwood Carved Japanese Person Netsuke
Netsuke Noh Costume " Paradox " Netsuke Noh Costume " Paradox " $170.00 Jj235 Japanese Boxwood Netsuke A Mask of An Old ManJj235 Japanese Boxwood Netsuke A Mask of An Old Man $9.99
Japanese netsuke-Head rollinig Samurai big hammerJapanese netsuke-Head rollinig Samurai big hammer Japanese netsuke-Head rollinig Samurai big stickJapanese netsuke-Head rollinig Samurai big stick
Chinese Boxwood Handwork Carving Death's-head NetsukeChinese Boxwood Handwork Carving Death's-head Netsuke Q1617:Boxwood Netsuke: Frog & turtle on TubQ1617:Boxwood Netsuke: Frog & turtle on Tub $0.99
Japanese netsuke-Head rollinig Samurai kneel with swordJapanese netsuke-Head rollinig Samurai kneel with sword Q1835:Boxwood Netsuke: lovely mouse on beansQ1835:Boxwood Netsuke: lovely mouse on beans $0.99
Jj132 Japanese Boxwood Netsuke Monkey & PeachJj132 Japanese Boxwood Netsuke Monkey & Peach $9.99 Q1419: Japanese Boxwood Netsuke : Stunning FudogQ1419: Japanese Boxwood Netsuke : Stunning Fudog
Jj258 Japanese Boxwood Netsuke Mouse & FungusJj258 Japanese Boxwood Netsuke Mouse & Fungus $9.99 Japanese netsuke-Head rollinig Samurai Giant SpearJapanese netsuke-Head rollinig Samurai Giant Spear
Q1836:Boxwood Netsuke: lovely DogQ1836:Boxwood Netsuke: lovely Dog $0.99 Oriental Boxwood Handwork Carving Dragon Netsuke Oriental Boxwood Handwork Carving Dragon Netsuke
Q1837:Boxwood Netsuke: dragon in egg stunningQ1837:Boxwood Netsuke: dragon in egg stunning $0.99 Japanese netsuke-Head rollinig Samurai double swordsJapanese netsuke-Head rollinig Samurai double swords
5 Boxwood Carved Mini Mask Netsuke5 Boxwood Carved Mini Mask Netsuke Hand Carved Old Japanese Oxbone Netsuke-lady/ca​tHand Carved Old Japanese Oxbone Netsuke-lady/ca​t $9.99
Chinese Boxwood Handwork Carving 'China hear' NetsukeChinese Boxwood Handwork Carving 'China hear' Netsuke Japanese netsuke - Samurai with sword ,lantern,sgnJapanese netsuke - Samurai with sword ,lantern,sgn
Q1610:Boxwood Netsuke: Lovely PigQ1610:Boxwood Netsuke: Lovely Pig Japanese netsuke-Head rollinig Samurai offer blessingJapanese netsuke-Head rollinig Samurai offer blessing
Japanese netsuke - Samurai on horseback,signe​dJapanese netsuke - Samurai on horseback,signe​d Hand Carved Old Japanese Oxbone Netsuke-warriorHand Carved Old Japanese Oxbone Netsuke-warrior $9.99
Click to see more Netsuke items at ebay.com
Prices current as of last update, 09/02/10 8:49pm.

Home Contact Resources Exchange Links eBay