Netsukes: Use, History, and Types
Netsuke depicting a deer in ivory, 19th century.
Netsuke are small sculptures that were invented in the 17th century in Japan to serve a practical function (the two Japanese characters ne+tsuke mean “root” and “to fix”). Traditional Japanese clothing of the time did not have pockets, so most men needed some means to store their personal items of the era, typically pipes, tobacco, money, stamps, or medicines.
The solution they found was to store these objects in small boxes or pouches (sagemono) that were hung on the obi. The most commonly used containers were tobacco and pipe pouches, and the most beautiful of all were the Inros, small wooden boxes, usually lacquered with motifs from Japanese folklore or prints of everyday life, which were kept closed by ojime, small balls that served as a seal to prevent the boxes from opening. Beyond the ojime was a cord tied to a small carved piece called a netsuke.
Netsuke, like inro and ojime, evolved over time from strictly utilitarian use to becoming objects of great artistic merit that showcased the work of skilled craftsmen. Such objects have a long history that captures important aspects of folklore and life in Japan. The production of netsuke was very popular during the Edo period in Japan (1603-1868). Many of the netsuke were imported after Japan’s borders were opened in the Meiji period and sold to Europeans who were fascinated by these exotic and artistically unique pieces of beauty.
Types of Netsukes
Netsuke Katabori.
- katabori netsuke (形彫根付) o “escultura netsuke” – Este es el tipo más común de netsuke. Son figuras tridimensionales compactas talladas en una forma esférica y por lo general poseen de 3 a 9 cm de diámetro.
Netsuke Anabori.
- anaborinetsuke (穴彫根付) o “netsuke ahuecado” – es un subconjunto de los katabori los cuales se tallan para tener un centro hueco. Unos de los motivos más comunes de este tipo de netsuke son las valvas.
Netsuke Obi-hasami sashi.
- sashinetsuke (差根付) – Esta es una forma alargada de katabori, literalmente netsuke “pincho”, de longitud similar a los palillos y gourds utilizados como netsuke improvisados antes de que se comenzaran a utilizar piezas talladas. Tienen unos 15 cm de largo.
- obi-hasami – Otro netsuke alargado con extremos superior e inferior redondeados. Se ubica detrás del obicon los extremos curvados visibles por encima y por debajo del obi.
Netsuke máscara.
- netsuke men (面根付) o netsuke máscara – la categoría más voluminosa luego de los katabori. A menudo estas son imitaciones de máscaras noh de mayor tamaño y comparten ciertas características tanto con los netsuke katabori como con los manju/kagamibuta.
Netsuke Manju.
- netsuke manju (饅頭根付) o manju netsuke– un netsuke redondeado grueso y chato, con tallas realizadas en relieve, a veces fabricado con dos trozos de marfil. Toman la forma del manju, una especialidad de la cocina japonesa.
Netsuke Ryusa.
- netsuke ryusa (柳左根付）- posee la forma de un manju, pero se encuentra tallado como una cinta, por lo cual la luz se transparente por la pieza.
Netsuke Kagamibuta.
- netsuke kagamibuta (鏡蓋根付) o “netsuke tapa de espejo” – posee la forma del manju, pero con un disco metálico que sirve de tapa a un bols poco profundo, por lo general de marfil. A menudo el metal se encuentra muy decorado mediante diversas técnicas metalúrgicas.
Netsuke con truco.
- Netsuke karakuri (からくり根付) o “netsuke con truco/mecanismo” – todo netsuke que posee partes móviles o sorpresas escondidas.
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