Guest TOQ Posted November 23, 2008 Posted November 23, 2008 Some culture: Netsuke (Japanese) are miniature sculptures that were invented in 17th century Japan to serve a practical function (the two Japanese characters ne+tsuke mean "root" and "to attach"). Traditional Japanese garment—robes called kosode and kimono—had no pockets, however men who wore them needed a place to store their personal belongings such as pipes, tobacco, money, seals, or medicines. Their solution was to place such objects in containers (called sagemono) hung by cords from the robes' sash (obi). The containers may be a pouch or a small woven basket, but the most popular were beautifully crafted boxes (inro), which were held shut by an ojime, which were sliding beads on cords. Whatever the form of the container, the fastener that secured the cord at the top of the sash was a carved, button-like toggle called a netsuke john Quote
Guest laurence Posted November 24, 2008 Posted November 24, 2008 Appreciate your explanation of netsukes, TOQ. I own a couple pairs of them but was unaware of their use. Also did not know there were erotic netsukes! Quote
Guest TOQ Posted November 24, 2008 Posted November 24, 2008 Appreciate your explanation of netsukes, TOQ. I own a couple pairs of them but was unaware of their use. Also did not know there were erotic netsukes! There are many styles ranging from clam shells to erotic gay. There is also Okimono which is the same style of work but without the cord holes. These are meant for display. john Quote
PattayaMale Posted November 24, 2008 Posted November 24, 2008 I have never seen these TOQ. Do you have any? Is there a place locally to purchase any? What great Christmas presents!! Quote
Guest topjohn5 Posted November 24, 2008 Posted November 24, 2008 Hi TOQ, Yes, these are very beautiful I like them much......... How big are they really? These are probably very small I would guess. But, like many things in asia very intricately detailed. Not very practical now but nice art....... Quote
Guest TOQ Posted November 24, 2008 Posted November 24, 2008 They are for the most part very small on the average of 2 - 2 1/2" As far as where to get them here I wouldnt know.. You might be able to find them in BKK at antique shop or Japanese specialty stores.. I have quite a few of them but not here in Thailand. I started buying them about 35 years ago john Quote
Guest laurence Posted November 24, 2008 Posted November 24, 2008 The two sets I own are about 1"x1 1/2". I assume they are made of ivory. Authentic ones normally would be signed by the maker on the bottom. You will notice this on two of the photos in TOQ,s post. I received them from a friend who owned an antique store. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted November 25, 2008 Posted November 25, 2008 Lovely thread, thank you TOQ. I have a few - all around 2". Although I have lived in Asia for decades and some years in Japan, I had no idea there were 'gay' netsuke. Very interesting. Love the smiling faces and rather exaggerated equipment! Quote
