Asian Art
Contemporary Netsuke: Masterful Miniatures
March 2007
By OLIVIA SAND
In a fascinating exhibition entitled Contemporary Netsuke: Masterful Miniatures, the Museum of Arts& Design is highlighting the latest developments of a tradition that originated in Japan in the 17th century. At the time, netsukes served a practical function allowing men wearing kimonos to carry small tobacco pouches, medicine cases or boxes containing seals. As the kimonos had no pockets, the box with an individual’s belongings was suspended on a cord through the sash of the kimono, and attached to a netsuke functioning as a toggle. With the kimonos made out of fine fabrics such as silk, the shape of the netsukes had to be smooth in order not to damage the garment. The most popular netsukes featured animals from the zodiac, heroes from mythology, or simply scenes from daily life, and were most frequently carved in ivory, wood or lacquer. Within a short period of time, netsukes became more sophisticated, and were considered masterpieces in their own right. The opening of Japan’s ports by Admiral Perry in 1854 led Westerners to discover netsukes, and to start collecting them. With the growing Western influence, Japanese people began adopting Western clothing with the use of netsukes becoming superfluous.
The exhibition accurately conveys that the acceptance of Western clothing did not result in the loss of the artistic tradition of netsuke carving. On the contrary, the practice spread outside Japan, and presently, netsuke carvers can be found in Europe, Asia, and the United States as showcased in the exhibition featuring works from carvers from Austria, Australia, England, Germany, New Zealand, Ukraine and America. The internationalization of the practice has infused this ancient tradition with new dynamism and creativity, setting unparalleled artistic standards. The exhibition gathers 100 pieces from private and public collections, with many of them on view for the first time. Today, these highly elaborate masterpieces feature very broad subjects as well as a variety of materials, with the exception of ivory that was replaced by mammoth or fossilized walrus tusk following the ban on the international trade of ivory.
The innovation in terms of materials, technique and subject matter contributes to turning the ancient tradition to netsuke carving into an active and relevant art, with limitless potential. The exhibition is guest curated by Terry Satsuki Milhaupt.