The hidden pleasure of Netsuki collecting

Hotei with his bag of  gifts

THE HIDDEN PLEASURE OF NETSUKI COLLECTING.




Shortly after reading Edmund De Waal’s prize winning book “The Hare with Amber Eyes”,  the Tasmanian  Museum & Art Gallery received a gift of some seventy seven netsuki from a generous donor called Janet Gale. I purchased my first netsuki in my twenties, an ivory Hotei, one of the Seven Immortals. He is excessively fat, exhibiting shamelessly a generous belly, generally laughing. He is looked upon as the God of Contentment. He carries a large bag in which he stores precious gifts. Half Taoist, half Buddhist, he is understood to have been a Chinese priest in the 10th cent. A great lover of children , who could sleep in the snow and infallibly predict the future. He seemed to be a highly desirable person to have in your team.

Unfortunately, I could only purchase the odd  little sculptures  spasmodically over the years, one of the reasons being my concern at the wholesale slaughter of elephants in the wild. Not that ivory is the main material for netsuke carving,  many different woods being the most widely used material.

It is possible to learn a lot about Japan, its history, religion, legends, dances and so on from the netsuke. Famous sites, fauna and flora, customs and games are all represented. The TMAG collection has representations of Dutchmen dressed in European clothing. These examples refer to the small Dutch trading post on the island of Deshima were half a dozen traders were allowed to carry on business during the years of Japan’s isolation.

Note warn holes on Hotei

The original netsuki was a toggle used to tuck under your belt , the end of which was thread  through the two holes on the underside of the netsuke, so the wearer could carry a small purse ,tobacco pouch or seal and keep their hands free. Genuine netsuke holes vary in size and old ones are sometimes lined with bone to counter wear. Women found them very useful for carry their little embodied bags in which perfume and medicines were kept. Netsuki are unfortunately among some of the most copied art objects, so if you intend to collect original ones great care is required. Always look for patina, has it been used as a clothing item, examine the design for its true purpose, are there sharp points to catch on cloths are all things to look for. In recent years the netsuke market has been glutted with cheap inferior imitations.

Bone inserts to stop wear.on holes

Many mythological animals are represented, particularly the signs of the Zodiac. The Dragon has been represented over the years in many different formats. He is viewed as a lustful animal and in a Chinese context symbolized the Son of Heaven, no doubt this was why he need such a large harem. Animals with supernatural powers best symbolized by the fox, he has the ability to change into a human. There are many stories and legends revolving around the fox as an evil creature. However in Japan the fox is also seen as the god of rice culture and may be seen on the gateways into Shinto shrines.

One of my favourite stories about supernatural animals centres around the Japanese idea of the hare on the moon. The legend tells of a hare, monkey and fox travelling together. They meet an old man who begs for food. The fox runs to the river and catches ,the monkey climes a tree and brings him some fruit, the hare however does nothing. When reproached he asks his companions to build a fire and as the flames take hold flings himself into the fire in order to provide meat. There upon the old man took the form of Indra, quenched the fire, and took the hare with him to live on the moon as an example to all creatures the true meaning of sacrifice.

I shall not attempt to retell all the stories surrounding netsukes, but shall mention the subjects of two of my own. The Hotei I have already mention, the other two are the dog and rooster. The cock is the symbol of valour. When depicted on a drum he is regarded as an emblem of peace, because in China  drums were beaten as a  warning against invaders.

Dog & Rat netsuki
Often the two zodiac signs of newly married couples are combined and given as gifts.

In Japan the dogs is looked upon as a friend, unlike China. When an infant is presented to his ancestors at the local shrine, he receives from his relative and friends paper Mache dogs as emblems of good luck. These are placed at the head of his cot to ward off evil influences. Finally , one of my favourite s is the octopus. It is possible to carve him in so many different designs. In folklore he is known as Umi Bozn, the priest of the sea, this is suggested by the resemblance of his smooth belly to a shaven head of a priest. He is considered extremely amorous as expressed by the firmness of his embrace. The subject is vast and highly rewarding. The pleasure of holding these little sculptures in your hands lifts your spirits. Happy collecting.

The Cock [late 19th cent. [note light colour of carved material]

Back view of Hotei with his textured clothing.