What is the purpose of a netsuke?

Netsuke, ornamental togglelike piece, usually of carved ivory, used to attach a medicine box, pipe, or tobacco pouch to the obi (sash) of a Japanese man’s traditional dress. During the Tokugawa period (1603–1868), netsukes were an indispensable item of dress as well as being fine works of miniature art.

What is manju netsuke?

manjunetsuke or “manju netsuke”- a thick, flat, round netsuke, with carving usually done in relief, sometimes made of two ivory halves. Shaped like a manju, a Japanese confection. ryusanetsuke – shaped like a manju, but carved like lace, so that light is transmitted through the item.

How do I know if my netsuke is real?

Signs of a Fake, Forgery, or Reproduction:

  1. Netsuke without the patina indicating years of handling.
  2. Cord holes with sharp, unworn edges indicate a modern piece.
  3. Cracks in ivory running at an angle to the natural grain are manmade.
  4. Parts carved after a natural crack formed indicate modern carving on old ivory.

What is the difference between a netsuke and a Okimono?

A netsuke is a small object, commonly made of carved ivory or wood, but also sometimes various other materials, including ceramic, bone, horn, coral, or even metals. Netsuke served both a decorative and functional purpose. An okimono is simply a decorative sculpture or object, meant for display and to be admired.

Can I sell my ivory netsuke?

The answer, CH is a resounding NO! Selling ivory is a federal offense in the US, since 2016. For the latest news, see the US Fish and Wildlife Services banned items. Ivory is illegal to sell, and it’s an offense to send it across State lines for the purposes of a sale.

How can you tell if its ivory?

Though authentic ivory is made from elephant tusks, people imitate with bone or even plastic, which can be weighted to feel like ivory. You can usually tell if the piece is a fake made of bone by observing the tunnels in the bones – authentic ivory will have no striations.

How much is an ounce of ivory worth?

At $200 an ounce, a conservative evaluation of the trade in illegal ivory comes in around $1.44 billion a year—enough to motivate some people to kill. And they do.

Is it illegal to own ivory tusks?

Is it legal for me to keep my elephant ivory? + Yes. Federal wildlife laws and regulations such as CITES, the ESA, and the AfECA do not prohibit possessing or display of ivory, provided it was lawfully acquired.

What is the definition of a field mouse?

Definition of field mouse. : any of various mice and voles that inhabit fields.

Where does the word netsuke come from in English?

The term is formed from the characters ne (根) (meaning “root”) and tsuke (付) (meaning “attached”). In English the word may be italicized or not, with American English tending to favour the former and British English the latter.

How can you tell a field mouse from a house mouse?

Its coat is beige, red-brown or dark brown, with a white belly. Its eyes and ears are smaller than those of a house mouse. Field mice are excellent jumpers and their hind legs are stronger than those of house mice.

Why are netsuke so important to Japanese culture?

Like many other art forms, netsuke reflect the nature of the society that produced them. This effect is particularly pronounced in netsuke, owing to long periods of isolation imposed both by geography and internal politics and limited avenues of self-expression for Japanese citizens due to custom and law.