The traditional culture of Japan began its formation in ancient times. It was then that such amazing forms of art arose as Khaniva, Jemon, Dotaku. But the netsuke sculpture can be attributed to the youngest form of traditional art, which grew out of the everyday traditions of the Japanese people. In the article we will tell about the history of this art and reveal the meaning of the figures.
What is netsuke? Value
So usually called small figures carved from stone and ivory and bearing important ritual significance. Most often, netsuke function as a talisman. Their initial meaning was quite functional - they served as a counterweight to wallets, keys and other necessary trifles in order to carry them with kimonos thrown over their belts.
Later they began to be used as amulets and talismans. And in the XIX century, art reached such a high level that the figures became a subject of special interest among collectors and connoisseurs of works of art. From this moment on, netsuke figurines become a welcome, elegant and expensive gift. In addition, these small, streamlined shapes can be used instead of beads for comfort, as well as for interior decoration. However, people often unfamiliar with Japanese culture confuse netsuke figurines with another form of traditional Japanese art - a mobile sculpture of okimono. These figurines are very similar to netsuke, but do not have any magical abilities.
Materials for figures
Traditionally, ivory was used to create small masterpieces, as well as deer, buffalo and rhinoceros horns, bear and tiger fangs, walrus bone, different species of wood and their roots, petrified wood. Later they began to make figures from porcelain, bright coral, jade of delicate shades, shells of turtles and shells of mollusks, even from glass.
The tree for netsuke was never covered with paint, but only polished. Soft wood species that were easy to process were traditionally taken for production: cypress, sandalwood, pine, walnut, camellia and others.
Manufacturing technology
Typically, the size of the figures varies from 2 to 10 cm. Nowadays, netsuke is made of bone, wood, even metal. Sometimes some breeds of semiprecious stones and minerals are used. Cut out the figures so that they do not have sharp corners, since all lines should be smooth. The main condition in the manufacture of netsuke is the drilling of a chemical bench - holes for the lace. Some craftsmen make most of the figures from plaster.
The production of netsuke from gypsum takes place in five stages:
- blank form;
- casting discs;
- processing to the desired shape, image;
- coloring;
- varnishing.
In other cases, only the carving technique for wood, stone or bone is used.
Types of images, their symbolism
| Form | Attribute | What symbolizes |
| Sage Darum | hieroglyphic scroll | stamina, courage, fortitude |
| Elder Daikoku | bag of magic rice, hammer | wealth patron of the hearth |
| Ebisu | magic carp | luck, hard work, peace of mind, enlightenment. Patron saint of fishermen |
| Hotei | big belly, smile, portrayed as sitting | happiness, fun, communication, fulfillment of desires, compassion and good nature |
| Samurai | warrior in clothes and attributes of a samurai | fortitude, stamina, courage |
| Queen of Heaven Sivanmu | fan | drives away failures |
| Human | listening to the sink | creativity support |
| Jurodzin | old man, with a staff and a scroll of wisdom, a turtle, a deer or a crane | luck, longevity |
| Fukurokuju | old man with outstretched head and staff | longevity, wise deeds. Prolongs life |
| Benzaiten (Benten) | girl with a national musical instrument | luck, wisdom, art, love and a craving for knowledge, mutual love and successful marriage |
| Bisyamonten (Tamonten) | mighty warrior with a spear in full samurai armor | wealth, prosperity, justice. Advocate, patron of doctors, lawyers, military, attracts money |
| Sivanmu | old woman with a fan | happy love, financial well-being |
| Guanyin | woman with holy book, jug or rope | protects from troubles, the patroness of pregnant women and women in childbirth |
| Kubera | Pushpak's magic flying chariot | harmony between spiritual and material, success and happiness |
| Dongfangshaw | bag of gold and silver | balance, harmony in the relationship between man and woman. Jeweler Patron |
| Kanzan and Jittoku | monks (no items) | creating a strong and happy family |
| Gossis | records fate | good dreams and dreams will come true |
| Yamabushi | blowing in the sink | wisdom, fortitude, spiritual development |
| Gamma Senninin | with a toad | wizard, healer, well-being, wealth |
| Ship | passengers - seven gods of happiness | successful swimming (undertakings), financial well-being |
| Chinese coin | with a square hole in the center, sometimes a mouse rolls it | availability of money, lack of debt |
Classification of figures by type
It is believed that this art appeared at the turn of the XVI-XVII centuries, and became the most popular in the XIX century. During this period, the forms of using netsuke and their symbolic interpretation changed.
| Type of figure | Picture |
| Catabori | Image of people, animals, groups of people or animals |
| Anabori | Image of people, animals, groups of people or animals - storylines |
| Sashi | Bar-shaped image with hook hole |
| Manju | Round shape. Can be made from halves. The image is made in the form of engraving with blackening. An image of Noo masks can be used. |
| Obi hasami | Bar-shaped image with hook-overhang |
| Masks | Reduced copy of the Noo mask |
| Itaraku | Weaved in the form of boxes resembling a pumpkin in shape |
| Ryusa (a variety of manju) | Of the two halves (upper and lower). The upper is made in the form of openwork carvings. Between them is emptiness. Circle shape. |
| Kagamibuta | Two-piece round shape. Upper - in the form of a metal cover with carvings made using a variety of techniques |
| With a secret | with moving parts or secret |
Worldview
Using netsuke figures, one can study the peculiarities of the life of the Japanese, their everyday life, clothing, military items, the natural features of the country and others. Since a whole group of figures is dedicated to ancient Japanese deities, then you can get acquainted with the beliefs of the Japanese.
Studying the images presented in netsuke, and turning to national myths and legends, you can learn a lot of interesting things about what people thought about the structure of the world, about their faith, gods, nature, life features, and basic occupations.
Ancient shinto deities
In addition to the special veneration of the ancestral spirits that are holy to the Japanese, from Shinto (ancient religion), the images of the main deities worshiped by the ancient Japanese of the pre-Buddhist period came to netsuke culture. Among such images, we meet one of the main Shinto goddesses - the sun goddess Amaterasu. It symbolizes female beauty, harmony, purity and wisdom.
Also in the pantheon of deities for the stories, the god of the wind Futen is also found. He is usually depicted without legs, behind his back - a bag and a drum with sticks, on his face - a serene smile. With his help, you will be accompanied by good luck and help along the way, life and health will be protected.
There is also an image of another god of the wind - Ryden. He, unlike Futen, is depicted not with one, but with 12 reels. And since Raiden is additionally the god of thunder and lightning, he is often depicted with horns and claws.
It is found among images of netsuke and Shousin - the god of longevity. The peaches that he holds are plucked from the magic tree. And since the spread of Taoism, the peach tree has become perceived as a symbol of immortality. Therefore, peach was often chosen as a tree for netsuke. Sometimes in Showsin’s hands you can see ginseng - a plant of longevity and health. And God himself is revered as the patron saint of medicine, an assistant in finding happiness.
One of the most popular images in netsuke is Okame - the goddess of happiness. She was a wonderful performer of ritual dances. Once she (according to one of the myths told in the Kojiki) called Amaterasu herself out of the grotto when she locked herself in it from the world. Since then, a cheerful laugh has served as an action with which you can call to yourself and propitiate Amaterasu. The goddess Okame is considered the patroness of great happiness, love, as well as theatrical art.
Nature and art
What is netsuke? This is an amazing source for exploring the nature and life of Japan. Among the images traditional for Japanese netsuke, you can often find images of animals. They have a sacred meaning, and also reflect the natural features of Japan.
One of the most sought-after animalistic images was considered the Okame turtle, which symbolized wisdom, longevity, protection against diseases, health promotion. One could meet whole pyramids of turtles (usually of three). The traditional image of a dragon in China was considered protection from witchcraft and evil spirits. The monkey was also protected from evil spirits. She provided assistance in acting. This group of animals also included a pair of netsuke, depicting a dog. They were a guard against evil forces and misfortunes.
Career success has helped secure the eagle. Happiness, prosperity and good luck are the bull. Financial well-being - a goldfish and a three-legged toad with coins in its mouth.
The third group of animals was responsible for love, happiness and family well-being. So, a pair of statuettes of hippos symbolized the acquisition of love, the return of old feelings between the spouses. The elephant provided strength, wisdom, good luck in bearing and giving birth to a child. He was a mascot against childlessness.
The fourth group includes a whale, which is considered the personification of happiness, kindness, strength, shows compassion, helps in sea voyages.
Developing art
Now, what is netsuke, almost everyone knows. In Japan, to this day, there is a tradition of giving these figures for happiness and good luck. So, at the beginning of the year it is customary to give netsuke with the image of the seven gods of happiness. For 12 months they provide exceptional prosperity, prosperity, happiness and good fortune.
Due to the popularity of such figures not only in Japan, but also in other countries of the world, an affordable type of netsuke is developed, made from inexpensive materials and using new technologies. Above, we have already mentioned gypsum figurines. They are also made of clay.
Netsuke art in museums around the world
The history of this amazing form of Japanese art is widely reflected in museum collections in the world. There is a Museum of the History of Religion in St. Petersburg. Here you can see a similar collection. There is a similar exposition in the Hermitage. She not only demonstrates a huge unique collection, but also explains with concrete examples what netsuke is. The exposition is very popular.
An interesting exhibition was presented in 2003 in Ukraine - Netsuke Out of Time. She passed in Kiev. Its organizers were the Ukrainian Netsuke Society and the Museum of Art of Bogdan and Varvara Khanenko. The exhibition featured unique exhibits not only from Ukraine, but also from museums in the UK and Switzerland.
And in November 2010, an exhibition of netsuke of our contemporaries was held at the Museum of the East in Moscow. The exposition includes works by contemporary masters of Russia, the CIS countries, Japan and European countries.
Instead of a conclusion
The art of netsuke does not become less popular and interesting over time. In modern society, an Association has even been created, which includes not only specialists in the manufacture of these small figures, but also ordinary people who are fascinated by the world of Japanese culture. Once in a year, you can listen to fascinating lectures on the history and prospects of netsuke culture at community congresses. At such events, experience is exchanged in the development of new technologies for the manufacture of figures, and acquaintance with the few schools of amazing art that have been preserved in Japan.