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Scarab
Two Fish
Behind the Mask
Knotenmännchen
Button Thief
Comes with Roses
Pagoda
Birth of the Magician
Skull with Glasses
Illusion
Beer Kauri
Pauls Brain
Spanish Donky
Water
Cat
Tower
Sun
Blowfish
Catspirit
Octopus
weaving
Pinky
black Cancer
morningview
Netsuke (Jap.): Ne - root wood, Tsuke - to hang up
"The Netsuke is a commodity comparable with a button. Its actual function is to be the origin of a story"
Originally Netsuke served mongolian equestian people for fasting objects on their belts. Because of the conquests of these people made their way to China.
In the years 889- 1185 it was commun in China to wear leather pouches
with tiner and gag. Later small childrencarried their lucky signs in small
pouches simllular to wallets.
In the 16th century chinese signets became fashionable. The Japanese got
to know these chinese specialties during their conquest of China and Korea
in the years 1592-98. At the time Netsuke were famous as the only jewelry
allowed to be carried by non-aristocrats.
The introduction of tabac by the Portugese in 1542
and the beginning circulation of this luxury-article was the actual boost
of Netsuke-art (as of 17th century).
In the Genroku period (1688- 1733) artists started to show interest in
Netsuke and refined its forms.