Introduction to Netsuke

Raymond Bushell

• 20 december 2011
• 9781462902378

Samenvatting:

NETSUKE artists have carved an imperishable niche for themselves in the hearts of collectors and connoisseurs everywhere. Among the many Japanese objets d'art, few have aroused greater admiration than the netsuke. This miniature piece of Japanese sculpture, approximately 1 1/2 inches in size, was designed (in the absence of pockets on kimonos) as an aid in suspending articles such as tobacco pouches from the sash of a kimono. It developed in ancient times as a utilitarian object, but became in the 16th century an artistic one as well, and flourished as such until 1926. No longer commonly worn, the netsuke is now a collectors' item, avidly sought throughout the world by those sensitive to its fme qualities. This book opens the miniature world of netsuke to those who have hitherto been unaware of its existence. In a delightfully lucid manner, the basics of the netsuke are presented-definition,origin, development, materials, statistics, and photographs. This book admirably fulfills its task of introducing the netsuke to the layman, irresistibly drawing him to new pleasures in aestheticism and culture.