A netsuke is a form of small sculpture which developed in Japan over a period of more than three hundred years. Netsuke served both functional and aesthetic purposes. The kimono, the traditional form of Japanese dress, had no pockets. Women would tuck small personal items into their sleeves, but men suspended their tobacco pouches, pipes, purses or writing implements, on a silk cord, from their obi (sash). These hanging objects are called sagemono. To stop the cord from slipping through the obi, a small toggle was attached.

This toggle
is called a netsuke. (The most popular pronunciation is net-ski, while the actual Japanese is closer to netskeh). A sliding bead (ojime) was strung on the cord between the netsuke and the sagemono to tighten or loosen the opening of the sagemono. The entire ensemble was then worn, at the waist, and functioned as a sort of removable hip pocket. All three objects, the netsuke, the ojime and the different types of sagemono were often beautifully decorated with elaborate carving, lacquer work, or inlays of rare and exotic materials, including: wood, ,precious metals, shell, coral and semi-precious stones. All three items developed into highly coveted and collectible art forms but it is the netsuke that has by far, most captivated the collector.

The Materials
Netsuke come in a wide variety of different materials. The dominant materials are wood. Wood is not restricted to a specific tree but comes in a great number of wooden materials - many unknown outside of Japan. Other than wood, many other materials were used like horn, shell, amber, soapstone or ceramic.

The Origins
The origin of netsuke is of a rather practical manner. Japanese kimonos had no pockets. The kimono was tied together with a sash or belt, called obi. So everything that you would carry in a pocket was put into a pouch or a box and attached to the sash with strings. The netsuke with two openings for the string to pass, acted as a toggle to prevent the sagemono (everything hanging from the sash) from slipping down from the obi.
The channel or hole carved into the netsuke for the passage of the cord is called the himotoshi. If a netsuke has a natural opening for the cord to pass, one speaks of a natural himotoshi. Far beyond their practical use, they were considered as a status symbol by their owners. Soon netsuke developed from a simple practical object to an impressive piece of art of high standard. Netsuke were in use from at least the early 17th century to the second half of the 19th century. With the Meiji restoration, the Japanese adopted Western clothing, which made netsuke disappear as an item for daily use by Japanese men.

The Value of a Netsuke
At the end of the nineteenth century everything Japanese became en vogue in Europe. Netsuke were sold rather cheaply until the second half of the twentieth century when a rising number of collectors discovered the charm of netsuke. The Japanese did not even consider netsuke as something worth collecting. Therefore most of the best netsuke are in Western collections outside Japan. Prices can range from US$100 to US$100,000. Top prices are connected to a few well known artist designers. But in general the existence of a signature does not have much influence on the value of a netsuke piece. Nor does the material. What matters most, is the quality of carving, originality and a charming subject.Today,contemporary netsuke artists are exploring new techniques, new subject matter and new materials. This vibrant approach to netsuke has captured the interest of both old and new collectors throughout the world. Also, netsuke carving is no longer confined to the Japanese. There are talented, enthusiastic carvers, excited by worldwide collector interest, museum exhibits, collector organizations and a wealth of books on the subject, who are creating netsuke in many parts of the world. Some use traditional Japanese themes, others explore themes indigenous to their own areas. There are now talented and respected netsuke carvers in Japan, England, the United States, Canada, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium and Germany. Interest in collecting netsuke and in creating them is enjoying a strong renaissance. There are active collectors groups to expand knowledge of netsuke and advance the art form. This is an exciting time for both the established and the new collector to be involved with netsuke