In Love With Asia: Animal netsuke from the British Museum

Cat biting into tail of a dried salmon

These miniature Japanese sculptures amaze with precision of work, small details, lively images and elegance. Originally netsuke was invented with purely domestic purpose: a Japanese traditional kimono costume did not have pockets but men who wore them needed a place to store their personal belongings, such as pipes, tobacco, money, seals, or medicines. These things were put in small bags or boxes and hung by cords from a wide obi sash. So that the bag might not slide off, a counterweight was hung at the other end of the cord. And to match the elegance of the dress, this fastener had to be a neat little piece of art. So there came netsuke.

Bitch with puppies

There were two main requirements for netsuke: it had to be strong to be able to hold an object attached to the belt, and it had to be of a nice interesting design. Netsuke were made in the form of gods and demons, historical figures, animals and birds, plants, people of different professions. By netsuke one could determine the social status of its owner, find out what he enjoys. For example, gamblers liked the netsuke in the shape of a snake or a skull, which was to bring them good luck, the believers - the famous Buddhist figures, lovers of theater - netsuke depicting a mask. Netsuke were carved from wood, bamboo, ivory and walrus ivory, tortoise shell, deer or buffalo horns, wild boar tusks. Also metals, porcelain, agate, amber, glass, jade were used.

Cat washing paw

Cockerel

For a long time netsuke was only part of the ensemble, supplementing the kimono. But with European costume with its dozen pockets coming in the Japanese everyday life netsuke became a form of decorative art.