Netsuke(Japanese) 根付 netsuke, netsuke) - a small symbolic carving. It is made mainly of ivory or wood. In ancient times, the Japanese used netsuke to attach keys and a wallet to the belt of a kimono, but netsuke also served as clothing decoration.

In Japan, the first netsuke appeared in the second half of the 16th - early 17th centuries.

Netsuke sashi depicting Jesus Christ, ivory, 17th century

The netsuke was used as a pendant on traditional Japanese clothing, the kimono and kosode (帯鉗), which had no pockets.

Small things like a pouch or a key were placed in special containers (called sagemono (下げ物). The containers could take the form of pouches or small wicker baskets, but the most popular were boxes (inro), which were closed using a bead that slid along a cord (ojime).

Netsuke holds inro on obi

Inro were attached to the belt of the kimono (obi) using a cord. It was tied into a ring, folded in half and passed through the belt. A netsuke was attached to one end of the resulting loop. The cord knot was hidden in one of two himotoshi(紐解) - netsuke holes connected by a through valve. Thus, netsuke served both as a kind of counterweight and as an elegant decoration for clothing.

Netsuke attached to inro, engraving by Katsushika Hokusai

netsuke on the right

Some people equate netsuke with okimono, but this should not be done. Netsuke and okimono are very similar, but in purpose and symbolism they are completely different figures.

Okimono- these are figurines used for interior design and decoration. These figures can be made of any material and do not have any impact on a person’s fate, unlike netsuke.

Since ancient times, netsuke have varied in typology and form. This same difference between netsuke has been preserved to this day.

Figures and types of netsuke

Katabori (形彫) - this is the most famous and familiar type of netsuke to many. Small carved figures depicting animals and people, multi-figure groups. This type was popular in the 18th - 19th centuries.

katabori

Anabori (穴彫) - subgroup of katabori. These netsuke were made from a shell, inside which storylines were created.

anabori

Sasi (差) - this form of netsuke is one of the oldest forms. These netsuke are made in the shape of a bar with an eyelet for a cord. They could be made from different materials, but were mainly made of wood. The method of using this type of netsuke was different from others.

If katabori, manji and others were used as a counterweight, then the sashi was tucked into the belt in such a way that the hole was at the bottom, and a wallet, keys, etc. hung from a cord passed through it. Sometimes a hook was additionally cut out at the upper end, which caught at the top edge of the belt.

Sashi is usually considered one of the forms of netsuke, but according to some researchers, it is a modification of the handle of a sword, from which a bag of flint and steel was hung.

Another close analogy to sasi is adaptation obi - hasami, invented in China. It is basically similar to sashi, it has a hook on top, but instead of a hole it has obi-hasami at the bottom there is a small round thickening, to which a wearable object was tied.

The first netsuke-sashi have survived to this day in very small quantities. In addition, the first netsuke-sashi are difficult to distinguish from obi-hasami. Later, during the period of the developed art of netsuke, the sashi form was probably perceived as archaic and was not used often.

Sasi

Mask (面 Maine) - a small copy of the Noo mask. The largest group of netsuke. The properties of the mask are very similar to the type of katabori.

mask

Manju (饅頭) - these netsuke were made of ivory and had the shape of a circle. Sometimes manju were made from two semicircles. Sometimes it is made of two halves. The image is given by engraving, which is usually accompanied by blackening. It got its name due to its resemblance to the round flat rice cake manju. One of the unique varieties of manju is a composition made up of several miniature theatrical masks.

manju

Itaraku- these netsuke were made of reed or wire. They were woven in the form of boxes of pumpkins and other shapes.

Ryusa(柳左） — Form option manju. The main difference between this form and the usual manju the fact that it is empty inside, and one (upper) part is made using the through-carving technique.

When Ryusa made from two detachable halves, the material was usually selected from the middle using a lathe. This form was especially often used in Edo, where the famous carver Ryusa lived (worked in the 1780s), after whom it is named.

It is believed that this form, like manju, became particularly widespread in connection with the earthquakes of the Ansei period (1854-1860), and especially with the Edo earthquake of 1855, when many netsuke were destroyed and a need for new products arose. Ease of production Ryusa compared to, for example, katabori or kagamibuta and influenced their predominant distribution at this time.

Ryusa

Kagamibuta (鏡蓋)- also similar to manju, but is a flat vessel made of ivory or other bone, horn, rarely wood, covered on top with a metal lid, on which the main part of the decorative design is concentrated based on a wide range of techniques. The signature on such netsuke is usually that of the metalsmith.

kagamibuta

Of course, each image had its own purpose.

For example, the figurine of a sage provided perseverance, courage and fortitude Daruma ,

Daikoku with a bag of magic rice promised wealth,

and bestowed good luck Ebisu with a magic carp in his hands (it was believed that how difficult it was to catch with bare hands carp, it’s so difficult to find peace of mind and balance).

Happiness and good luck, which always go together, were bestowed by the double figure - Daikoku And Ebisu .

Those seeking health and longevity wore a figurine of the god of happiness Shawsin who was holding ginseng and a magic peach.

Those who had a cherished desire turned to the god of happiness, fun and communication Hotei, it was he who was always depicted either sitting or standing, but always smiling. To fulfill the plan, it was necessary to stroke the figurine on the stomach three hundred times, while thinking about what was desired.

Travelers took the figurine Futena, which promised a fair wind and good luck along the way. He was depicted as a man carrying a bag behind his back and with a serene smile on his face.

Samurai gave. fortitude, courage and courage

The queen of the sky, Sivanmu, used her fan to drive away the winds of adversity.

Creative people were helped by a figurine of a man listening to a shell. A huge variety of figures, and therefore their purposes, made it possible to choose what was needed for a specific situation and use it to solve difficulties.

But these little things are known all over the world not only as lucky amulets. The fact is that tiny but very expressive netsuke were created by many real artists, and then these figurines became masterpieces of world art.

Japanese netsuke: miniature figures

netsuke with a secret

Ebisu with fish and basket.
Early 20th century, bone carving

Shoushin with staff and peach.
Late 19th - early 20th century, bone carving, painting

At least with a fan and a bag.
Late 19th century, bone carving, painting

Jurojin with a scroll.

Bone carving, blackening.

Okimono Bishamonten with a pagoda.
Bone carving, 19th century.

Jurojin, one of the seven gods of fortune

SELLER OF DARUMA DOLLS, YASUYUKI MASTER

Ivory, carving. Second half of the 19th century. Netsuke of the famous master
Yasuyuki depicts a caricatured scene typical of Edo at the time. The peasant came to trade in
Edo before the New Year with Daruma dolls of their own making.

NETSKU IN THE FORM OF MANJU by master KOYUSAI
Ivory. Diameter approx. 4 cm. XIX century.

NETSKE "GEISHA AND DEMON"
Ivory. Height approx. 4.2 cm. Beg. 19th century
A fine example of the work of Masatsuge, Edo school. Rare story

THEATER ACTOR BUT IN THE ROLE OF A DEMON.
Ivory. Gold lacquer, red lacquer, blackening, gold inlay and
mother of pearl. Height approx. 3.8 cm. Beginning of the 19th century. Master Sugoku (Hidetama)
Rare netsuke

Kanu (Guan Yu) with a halberd. 19th century, bone carving

ACTOR IN THE ROLE OF A WEREN-FOX.
Cherry (?), ivory. Height approx. 4 cm.
First half of the 19th century. Signed: Hogyoku.

Netsuke "Boy with a Book" (boy drawing)

Netsuke Crab

MOTHER AND CHILD. EVERYDAY SCENE.
Ivory, tinted,
engraving. Height approx. 4.2 cm Second half of the 19th century. Master Shosai.

A BLIND MAN REMOVING A STONE FROM A GET
Ivory. Height approx. 5.8 cm. First half of the 19th century. Signed: Kogyoku.

MOTHER WITH CHILD
Ivory. Height approx. 4 cm. Second half of the 19th century.

TENAG-LONG-ARMED AND OCTOPUS
Deer horn. Length 12 cm. Late 18th - early 19th century. Signed: Beisai.

FUKUROKUJU, god of health, wisdom and longevity, HOT BATH TAKER

Boxwood, ivory. Height approx. 5.3 cm. 1840-1860. Signed: Toyo.

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Similar to netsuke in design, plot, and often in size. An okimono always lacks a hole for a cord, meaning these sculptures lack utilitarian functions. Word okimono(literally - “delivered thing”) is the general name for all small-sized easel sculpture intended only for interior decoration. It refers to figurines made from any material. In cases where the term okimono used in connection with netsuke, meaning sculptures made of ivory and - rarely - wood. Such okimono arose later - no earlier than the 19th century and they were created by craftsmen whose main specialty was netsuke carving.

Story

Prototypes of netsuke

The question of the origin of netsuke can be resolved in two ways: netsuke is a Japanese invention, or netsuke were borrowed by the Japanese. Netsuke is both a utilitarian piece of costume, having a specific shape, and piece of art, decorated in a certain style. Each of these “aspects” of netsuke can give its own answer to the question of their origin.

Netsuke type counterbalance charms were used over a wide area: in Japan and Hungary, the Far North and Ethiopia. In essence, “netsuke” appear where there is a suit without pockets, but with a belt. Therefore, it is risky to explain the custom of wearing objects like netsuke as borrowed from outside: this custom may turn out to be local. If key fobs existing in different countries ah, stylistic similarities are discovered, then this is a good reason to assume influences and borrowings. Netsuke in the form of a stick or button were used earlier, but it was in the 17th century that they began to acquire the character of miniature sculpture. In Japan, if not the custom of carrying objects in a belt with the help of a counterweight-keychain, then the specificity of its artistic design (in the form of a carved sculpture, a relief plate, etc.) is undoubtedly not of local origin, but of Chinese origin, where pendant keychains were made already in the 3rd century. BC e. During the Ming period (1368-1644), the Chinese called such objects zhuizi(坠子 zhuizi) or pei-chui(pei-chui) - products similar to netsuke both in function and design. By this time, there had long been a strong tradition of Japanese borrowing various elements spiritual and material culture of China, including clothing. The name of the keychains also points to China. “Netsuke” is not their only designation in Japan. Sometimes there are people like kensui, Haisui And haisi. But these names are in Chinese, respectively: xuan chui, pei-chui And Pei Tzu- used in China along with the most common term Zhui Tzu. Some early netsuke were called karamono(唐物, "Chinese thing") and then:bori(唐彫り, "Chinese carving"). The connection between netsuke and their Chinese prototype is obvious. But the role Pei Tzu in the history of netsuke there is no need to exaggerate: very soon in Japan based on Zhui Tzu original netsuke forms and carving techniques were developed, new subjects were introduced and old ones were rethought. In Japan, netsuke turned into an independent and highly developed art, which did not happen with Chinese Zhui Tzu.

Before the 17th century, there is no information about the use of netsuke by the Japanese. Things that needed to be carried were carried differently. In the history of Japanese costume, there were several ways to attach things to the belt. The most ancient object that was worn in Japan using a device similar to netsuke is mentioned in the works of the first quarter of the 8th century “Kojiki” (Records of Ancient Affairs) and “Nihongi” (Annals of Japan). hiuchi-bukuro(火打ち袋) - a pouch for flint and steel, which was attached to the hilt of the sword. The custom turned out to be persistent. In the painting of the Heian period (794-1185) images are often found hiuchi-bukuro(for example, in the icon of the deity Kongobu-ji of the Koya-san monastery). A bag for flint and steel can also be seen on the Nagataka Tosa scroll (late 13th century) “Pictorial Narrative of the Mongol Invasion” by a man reporting the appearance of an enemy fleet. During the Kamakura and Muromachi period (1335-1573) hiuchi-bukuro began to be used as a wallet, portable first aid kit, etc., but they wore it the same way as before.

In parallel with this, other devices were also widespread. First of all this obi-hasami(帯鉗), which, as stated in the 1821-1841 work “Conversations in the Night of the Rat,” were the predecessors of netsuke. Obi-hasami- figured framed hook; its upper bend is hooked onto the belt, and tied to the protrusion below various items. Similar things have come down to us from the Ming time in China. Form obi-hasami did not take root because this method was unsafe: with fast movement and bending of the body, one could easily prick himself with a long and sharp hook.

Another form that preceded and partly coexisted with netsuke is obiguruwa- a belt ring to which a wallet, keys, etc. were attached. It is possible that this type of fastening came to Japan from Mongolia through China.

The first netsuke

In Japan, the first netsuke appeared in the second half of the 16th - early 17th centuries.

Perhaps specific events played a role here: the campaigns of the military ruler of Japan, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, to Korea in 1592 and 1597. This date of the appearance of netsuke is confirmed by images of costumes in the paintings of that time and information from literary sources. In the late 16th-century screen painting “Dressage,” one of the riders is depicted with an inro hanging from his belt. The folds of the clothing hide the object to which it is tied, but, judging by the position of the inro, it is a netsuke. There is a description of Tokugawa Ieyasu's hunting, in which, among other details of Ieyasu's costume, netsuke in the form of a gourd is mentioned. This is the earliest evidence of counterweight charms being worn in Japan.

The 17th century is the prehistory of netsuke, which we know about only from indirect data. The works that have survived to this day were created no earlier than the first half of the XVIII century. By this time, the formation of the artistic language of miniature Japanese sculpture had already been completed, and the period from the middle of the 18th century to mid-19th century we can consider the “golden age” of netsuke.

The history of netsuke generally does not extend beyond the Tokugawa period (1603-1868) - the heyday of the art of city dwellers - merchants and artisans. The conditions of their existence and the social atmosphere in general had a noticeable influence on the evolution of miniature sculpture. So, for example, in the area domestic policy The military government of Japan (bakufu) adopted a policy of preserving the once created structure of society. “Laws against luxury” were repeatedly issued, the purpose of which was to strictly distinguish between the “noble” and “mean” classes, including in lifestyle and clothing. Everything was subject to regulation: from the number of floors in the house to the quality of the material for the dress and the cost of toys or sweets. Punishments were imposed for violating the prohibitions: from a fine to expulsion from the city. However, if these prohibitions were not directly violated, then, as a rule, they were skillfully circumvented. However, the townspeople did not have many opportunities to decorate their costumes, and therefore none of them should have been missed. Netsuke was the detail with which one could demonstrate one’s own taste, one’s attitude to the next fashion, and, to some extent, one’s well-being. It was in applied arts that the aesthetic demands of the townspeople were most fully satisfied, which stimulated the emergence of virtuoso masters of netsukeshi - netsuke carvers. Therefore, the change in the form, material, and artistic interpretation of netsuke clearly indicates a change in the artistic tastes and preferences of the Japanese at the end of the 17th-19th centuries.

The emergence of schools of netsukeshi carvers

In the 17th and 18th centuries. Entire schools of carvers emerged, differing in style and favorite themes. For example, the Hida or Nara schools were characterized by figurines made in the style ittobori- using one knife, without carefully working out small details. The largest schools of carvers are located in Edo, Osaka and Kyoto. In the provinces, original movements sometimes arise, the founder of which was often one talented master. As an example, we can point to Shiyoda(?) Tomihara, who lived and worked in the middle of the 18th century. in the Iwami province of Honshu Island. Among the netsukushi, big names emerge such as Shuzan Yoshimura from Osaka, Tomotada and Masano from Kyoto. However, with rare exceptions, we know little about the lives and details of the biographies of most of the carvers. The collection “Soken Kisho” became a great help for researchers studying the history of netsuke. It was published in 1781 by Osaka resident and sword merchant Inaba Tsuryu. The collection contains a list of fifty-three names of the largest netsukeshi of that time, accompanied by illustrations of their works.

Netsuke and modernity

A significant part of netsuke late XIX and all netsuke of the 20th century were made for export. They are still made today. For the most part, these are rather low-grade souvenir products produced on an assembly line. But the art of netsuke did not disappear. Even today there are craftsmen whose specialty is netsuke carving. Some works by such masters are valued very highly (from US$10,000 to $100,000 or more). Prices for collectibles netsuke at auctions in the United States usually range from several hundred to thousands of dollars (inexpensive stamped but accurate reproductions are sold in museum stores for prices up to $30).

However, the nature of the development of this art has changed. Firstly, the practical need for netsuke has disappeared: the Japanese wear European clothing, since in the 1920s the kimono was replaced by European clothing. Secondly, the attitude of the carvers themselves towards the netsuke they create has changed: now they are considered as completely independent works, isolated from the customer, and from fashion, and often from the tradition of a particular school. The works of modern masters can be divided into two groups: netsuke, made in the spirit of modern easel sculpture, and traditional netsuke.

Aesthetics netsuke

Typology (types) netsuke

• katabori(形彫) - the most known species netsuke, a compact carved sculpture that can depict people, animals, multi-figure groups. Characteristic of the mature period of netsuke history (late 18th - early 19th centuries).
• anabori(穴彫) - subspecies katabori, the subjects of which are created inside a cut-out cavity; the most common scenes are inside a bivalve shell
• Sasi(差) - One of the oldest forms of netsuke. It is a long block (made of various materials, but most often made of wood) with a hole for a cord at one end. The way of consuming sasi is different from all other forms. If katabori, manji and others were used as a counterweight, then the sashi was tucked into the belt in such a way that the hole was at the bottom, and a wallet, keys, etc. hung from a cord passed through it. Sometimes a hook was additionally cut out at the upper end, which caught at the top edge of the belt. Sashi is usually considered one of the forms of netsuke, but according to some researchers, it is a modification of the handle of a sword, from which a bag of flint and steel was hung. Another close analogy to sasi is adaptation Obi-Hasami, invented in China. It is basically similar to sashi, it has a hook on top, but instead of a hole it has obi-hasami at the bottom there is a small round thickening, to which a wearable object was tied. The first netsuke-sashi have survived to this day in very small quantities. In addition, the first netsuke-sashi are difficult to distinguish from obi-hasami. Later, during the period of the developed art of netsuke, the sashi form was probably perceived as archaic and was not used often.
• mask (Japanese: 面 Maine) - the largest after katabori category, was often a smaller copy of a mask, but its properties were similar to katabori And manju/kagamibuta
• itaraku - netsuke in the shape of a pumpkin, box or other objects woven from wire, bamboo or reed.
• manju (饅頭) - netsuke in the form of a thick disk, most often made of ivory. Sometimes it is made of two halves. The image is given by engraving, which is usually accompanied by blackening. It got its name due to its resemblance to the round flat rice cake manju. One of the unique varieties of manju is a composition made up of several miniature theatrical masks.
• Ryusa(柳左）- Form variant manju. The main difference between this form and the usual manju the fact that it is empty inside, and one (upper) part is made using the through-carving technique. When Ryusa made from two detachable halves, the material was usually selected from the middle using a lathe. This form was especially often used in Edo, where the famous carver Ryusa lived (worked in the 1780s), after whom it is named. It is believed that this form, like manju, became particularly widespread in connection with the earthquakes of the Ansei period (1854-1860), and especially the Edo earthquake of 1855, when many netsuke were destroyed and a need for new products arose. Ease of production Ryusa compared to, for example, katabori or kagamibuta and influenced their predominant distribution at this time.
• kagamibuta(鏡蓋) - also similar to manju, but is a flat vessel made of ivory or other bone, horn, rarely wood, covered on top with a metal lid, on which the main part of the decorative design is concentrated based on a wide range of techniques. The signature on such netsuke is usually that of the metalsmith.

These forms, of course, do not exhaust the entire variety of netsuke. There were so-called “curious” netsuke - for example, made from the triggers of Dutch guns, carved items adapted for wearing as a belt keychain, such as dolls, as well as keychains that had additional practical meaning: in the form of abacus - soroban, compass, flint and steel, ashtray, etc. However, these things appear in the general mass only occasionally; they represent an exception to the general rule.

Materials used in manufacturing

Netsuke materials are varied.

• Ivory in the history of Japanese art - the material is quite “young”. Before the Tokugawa period, it was known only from Chinese products. In the form of tusks, it began to be imported to Japan from Vietnam through China. Combs for women's hairstyles and other decorations were made from this material, but primarily plectrums for shamisen. Ivory scraps, which usually had a triangular shape, were used for the mass production of netsuke, which also left an imprint on the shape of such products. Craftsmen who worked on private orders and cared more about their professional reputation than about their earnings avoided such material.

• Tree - traditional material of Japanese sculpture. Various breeds were used, but most often -
• Japanese cypress (hinoki).

Most of the netsuke of the early period are made of cypress. It is soft and convenient for carving, but has a significant drawback: over time, the products become covered with cracks. The requirements for netsuke are most fully satisfied

• Japanese boxwood (tsuge) -

a hard material that has long been used for seals. Besides hinoki, used light and soft wood

• Korean pine (chōsenmatsu),

characterized by a reddish-yellow hue. Netsuke was cut and from

Symbolism of the material

In most cases, the material (and not just the plot) had symbolic overtones.

Subjects

Main article: Netsuke plots

More than any other art netsuke reflected the nature of the society that gave birth to it. The reasons for this are beyond the scope of this article, but it may be mentioned that they include long periods of isolation due to geographical and political reasons, as well as restrictions on the ways of Japanese expression due to customs and laws. As a result netsuke show all aspects of life in Japan of their time, including rich folklore, religion, crafts, trade and professions, various types of people and creatures, real and fictional. The following stories can be highlighted:

• people: famous and unknown, real, historical, and fictional, children, warriors, priests, etc.
• animals: signs eastern horoscope and others
• plants and herbal products; small ones such as beans and walnuts, often cut to real size
• deities and mythical creatures, often from Chinese myth and religion, netsuke depicting one of the seven gods of fortune, who, according to Shintoism, bring good luck
• objects; the rarest category. Coins, tools, roofing tiles and the like
• abstract: mon symbols, patterns
• sexy (春画 shunga): can depict a man and a woman copulating or only hint in a subtle symbolic form at erotic content

Alone netsuke depict simple objects, others depict entire scenes known from history, mythology or literature.

Collectors' organizations

In 1975, the International Netsuke Society was created. On this moment INS is the largest international organization netsuke collectors, and unites collectors living in 31 countries around the world. INS partners with most American museums and galleries to organize regular exhibitions of Japanese miniature art. Twice a year the INS conducts international conferences which include lectures, workshops from leading experts and public organizations in the field of netsuke. INS also publishes a quarterly journal, the International Netsuke Society Journal.

In 2011, at the annual INS conference, it was decided to create a branch for the CIS countries of the International Netsuke Society. The created organization included art critics, cultural experts, historians, and netsuke collectors from different CIS countries. Boris Filatov (Ukraine) was elected Chairman of the CIS countries branch of the International Netsuke Society. The INS branch for the CIS countries publishes a Russian-English magazine twice a year

Netsuke figurines are popular souvenirs that are often brought from Eastern countries. It is believed that this is a good reminder of the trip and a sign of attention to loved ones. However, such figures have a deeper meaning.

Miniatures bring happiness, attract wealth and reflect negative magical influences.

What is this?

Netsuke figurines are small Japanese sculptures in the form of deities, animals or people. They are believed to have magical properties. For this reason, they are most often used as amulets.

There are several types of figurines, each of which has a specific meaning, which is recommended to be studied before purchasing.

Origin story

The history of netsuke figurines has its roots in Japan. Previously, they were key chains on which special bags were hung. They kept keys and other small items.

Such devices were attached to the belt, because National clothes did not provide pockets. So users received a useful device and an attractive accessory.

Later, observant Japanese discovered that the miniature sculptures had magical properties. After this, they began to be used as talismans.

Varieties

There are several types of netsuke, depending on the typology and shape.

Katabori

These are images of people and animals. They are the most popular.

Anabori

This is a variation of the previous version of netsuke. They are made from a shell, inside of which there is a figurine.

This is a block with a hole in it. A rope is threaded through it, which is then secured to the belt. Sasi are used only as key holders. Magical properties he doesn't have.

Mask

This is a picture of a Noo mask.

Manju

They are semicircular and round figures. Previously, only ivory was used to make them.

Itaraku

These are wicker figures. Reed is most often used to make them.

Ryusa

These are semicircular and round figurines, but unlike manju, they are hollow inside. There is a thread at the top.

Kagamibuta

This is a vessel with a lid on which some images are applied.

Differences between netsuke and okimono

Often, ordinary people confuse netsuke and okimono. However, these figurines have a significant difference.

Okimono is an interior detail that complements it and “revitalizes” it.

The figurines have no magical properties. Netsuke is a talisman that can attract good luck, money, grant health and protection from external negative influences.

Meaning

Each netsuke figure has a specific meaning. Below are the most popular figurines and what they mean.

People and deities

Humans and deities are the most popular figurines. Each of them has a specific meaning.

Sage Darun with a long beard

It gives the owner masculinity and wisdom. In addition, the talisman promotes spiritual development. It is recommended to place the figurine at the head of the bed or on the nightstand next to the bed.

Elder Daikoku

This miniature represents an old man with a big belly and a bag over his shoulders. It is believed that he carries magic rice in it. Such a talisman attracts wealth, protects the family hearth and brings happiness. It is recommended to place it in the living room.

Ebisu

This is an old man holding a fish in his hands. It attracts good luck to the house. It is recommended to place it in the living room with Elder Daikoku. It is believed that such a union guarantees the prosperity and well-being of the entire family. It is also recommended to place Ebisu on your desktop. This will bring good luck in business.

Shawsin

This is a bald old man with a long beard and a staff in his hand. Such a figurine guarantees health and longevity for all household members. Such a talisman can be presented as a gift to a sick person. It is believed that it will help get rid of any disease.

Hotei

God of wealth, happiness and fun in Feng Shui. He can fulfill any wish. Hotei is a cheerful bald man with a big belly and a bag in his hands.

This is a classic version, but there are other images - with a fan, etc. If you stroke his belly 300 times and make a wish, it will come true.

Futen

God of the wind. It protects travelers along the way and makes it possible to return home safely. It is recommended to take the talisman on the road during long or long trips.

He will bring good luck and make the path calm and easy.

Jurojin

This is the patron of science and longevity. Description of the figurine – a long-lived old man with a scroll or magic musical instrument. The talisman gives longevity, protects against diseases and helps to study better and absorb new information.

Goddess Benzaiten

Goddess of female happiness. She helps the fair sex, regardless of age, find love. The figurine is placed in the bedroom.

Bishamonten

Patron of warriors. He helps to win the battle and return home safe and sound.

In everyday life, the figurine gives the owner self-confidence, courage and strength. The talisman helps to cope with any, even the most difficult problem.

Fukurokuju

Represents an old man with a long beard and a large head. Fukurokuju protects all household members from diseases and gives them a happy life.

Goddess Ame no Uzume

Brings happiness and love to the home. In addition, she is considered the creator of the theater, so her presence in the house helps to reveal hidden talents.

Buddhist monks Kanzan and Jittoku

This figurine symbolizes harmony and brotherly relationships. She brings peace, harmony and mutual understanding to the house.

Gasisu

The figurine represents an old man holding a writing board. In it, he records a person’s desires, and then helps to fulfill them.

Daruma

Symbol of wisdom and compassion. Helps the owner accept right decisions, avoid mistakes and bestows clarity of thought and philanthropy.

Confucius

This is a real Chinese sage who lived in the 6th century BC. His image symbolizes education and wisdom. Often the figurine is given to students to make it easier for them to learn.

Lao Tzu

Founder of the teachings of Tao. The figurine makes it possible to find the meaning of life and bestows wisdom.

Sivanmu

Goddess of the sky, who owns a drink that grants immortality. Her image brings happiness to the house. In addition, it bestows longevity and good health.

Crawling baby

A sparrow is depicted on the baby's back. The interpretation of such a figure is happiness and protection from higher powers.

Child

This is a popular figurine in different variations. It could be a child with a fish, etc.

Any figurine is presented as a gift with the wish for the birth of a child, who should be born healthy and grow up wise and happy.

Animals and inanimate objects

In Japan, it is also common to cut inanimate objects and animals as netsuke. Each figurine has a specific meaning.

Toad with a coin in his mouth

Such a talisman attracts wealth and prosperity. It is recommended to place the figurine at your workplace. It will bring good luck and help you conclude lucrative contracts.

Whale

It symbolizes goodness, happiness and compassion. It is recommended to take Netsuke with you on a trip if it involves traveling by water. It will help you endure the journey well and return home safely.

Coin with a hole in the middle

Another money talisman. According to the teachings of Feng Shui, it is placed in the wealth zone.

Two dogs

The figurines provide reliable protection to all inhabitants of the house. In addition, they help loved ones find mutual understanding. To do this, they need to be placed in the wealth zone.

Monkey

It protects against evil forces. In addition, it protects people from any negative impact.

Bull

Gives well-being. The talisman attracts wealth.

gold fish

The figurine relieves you of material problems. In addition, it helps fulfill desires.

Snake

The figurine symbolizes beauty and wisdom. It helps the owner to overcome any difficulties in life and learn a lesson from any situation that helps to avoid mistakes in the future.

Elephant

The figurine symbolizes wisdom and strength. It is recommended to place such a netsuke in the spouses’ bedroom. It is believed that the figurine will help them conceive healthy children.

Ship

Attracts good luck. The ship also improves material well-being.

Two carp

This miniature helps household members gain mutual understanding. In addition, she bestows happiness and love.

Hippos

They are depicted in pairs. Such figures give love. In addition, they are reviving old feelings between husband and wife.

Eagle

Turtles

The turtle symbolizes longevity and wisdom. There are several options for such a figurine, but any of them will help solve the most difficult questions and bestows good health.

Fairy-tale and mythical creatures

Often fairy tales and mythical creatures. They also have a certain meaning.

Tengu

The translation of the name netsuke is celestial dog. However, the appearance of the figurine does not correspond to the name. The miniature is a feathered creature with a beak that sits in a bowl with its paws sticking out of it. This is a forest spirit that has the ability to take the form of any living creature.

The Dragon

This is a celestial lion that is in the service of the Buddha himself. The figurine bestows well-being and protects from any negativity. If the celestial lion is depicted with a peony or a ball in its paws, then it will attract money and help the owner become famous.

Figurine of a cat lying on the back of Namazu catfish

This netsuke helps the owner to find harmony with himself and the world around him. In addition, the figurine protects against natural disasters.

Gamma Sennin

This is an image of a saint with a toad sitting on his back. It represents long life and good health.

Kappa

Price

Real netsuke, made by masters, have a high cost. The most expensive figurine is a boy drawing. The original is up for auction. It costs 42,000 rubles.

Simple figurines that are sold as souvenirs have a more reasonable price. The cost depends on the material from which the figures are made, which sketches are taken as a sample, as well as on the dimensions. The price can be either 100 or 5000 rubles.

What are they made of?

Most often, bone or wood is used to make figurines. Less commonly, figurines are made of clay or ceramics. However, now other materials have begun to be used for the production of miniature sculptures.

Netsuke figurines can become not only a good gift, but also a talisman that will help change life in better side. To do this, you need to study the meaning of each figurine and choose the appropriate option.

The art of creating netsuke figurines reached its peak in Japan, and the craft originated in China. The Chinese called these things Zhui Tzu. When they appeared in Japan they began to be called Chinese carvings. Initially, the figurines were simple and inexpressive; they served as key chains hung on the belt of a kimono. Keys, pouches and other miniature things necessary for the owner were attached to them.

In the 17th century, netsuke making evolved into special art. Craftsmen made figurines from various materials, including very expensive ones. These were animal horns, semi-precious and gems, wood, ivory. At the same time, the symbolism of the material also mattered. Ivory, for example, promised the owner health and well-being. The subjects and characters depicted in the figures were varied. The fashion for netsuke has embraced everyone, from peasants to the rich. For everyone there was material to suit their pocket and a subject or drawing to their liking.

Most of them are dedicated to the 7 gods of happiness - shitifukujin. The gift of such a figurine was equated to a wish for what a certain celestial being symbolized. So, 7 gods:

• Travel lovers are most often given a figurine of Futen. They promise the owner good luck and protect him from troubles along the way.
• Hotei is one of the most revered gods in Japan. It represents happiness, pleasure, sociability. And the most important thing is that he fulfills wishes. If you stroke his belly 300 times, keeping your wish in mind, it will come true.
• Daikoku is a god depicted with a bag of rice. Brings happiness, prosperity, prosperity, preserves the family hearth.
• Sivanmu protects from misfortunes, grief, and failures.
• Daruma personifies masculine qualities, willpower and spirit
• God Shoushin is always depicted with 2 items - a peach and a ginseng. Peach symbolizes health, and ginseng symbolizes longevity.
• Bishamon is a god who helps warriors in their good deeds.

Netsuke depicting people, gods and animals are called katabori. There is also a type of netsuke called kagamibuta - this is a small round container in the form of a box with a mirror inside.

And the last type of figurines is manju. They have the shape of a flat cake and are decorated with various patterns and ornaments.

Netsuke reflects the Japanese idea of ​​beauty - simplicity and grace. The figurines absorbed the most beautiful and picturesque moments of Japanese life and ideas about the world.

In the modern world, which is largely fascinated by Buddhism, Hotei is one of the most popular deities that bring happiness to the home. It is used as a kind of talisman; the figurine of Hotei is widely known in Feng Shui.

This man himself is, first of all, known as the god of carelessness and fun. And in this material we will talk about where Hotei and the netsuke that depicts it came from.

Oddly enough, this deity has a completely real prototype. Once upon a time in China there lived a monk whose name was Tse-Tsy. Like many like him, this monk wandered throughout the country. He was no different from the others in almost any way, except for the large bag on his back. Actually, because of this bag he was nicknamed Hotei (the word translates as “canvas bag”)

However, the story would not have received even a hundredth of its popularity if it were just about a harmless monk with a bag; everything is much more interesting.

For some reason (history, unfortunately, is silent about why), Hotei became a symbol of happiness and fun for many. No matter what village Tse-Tsy came to, an atmosphere of carelessness and joy immediately set in, and as if everything began to flourish by itself.

When the monk was asked about the contents of his bag, Tse-Tsy simply answered that he carried with him... the whole world. One way or another, the fame of the extraordinary monk and his miraculous luggage spread first to China, and then to the rest of the world.

As a result, the craftsmen made a figurine of Hotei (this nickname was firmly assigned to the monk), or rather netsuke. The figurine remains unchanged to this day, only the motifs change. The photo shows that in the form of a figurine, for example, Hotei can be depicted on a toad, or with a staff or with coins in his hand. Sometimes there are even Hotei with children and each version of netsuke has its own meaning.

Worldwide recognition of Netsuke Hotei

This very symbolism of a fat monk with a bag gained so much popularity that in the seventeenth century it was recognized even in Japan. As a result, today Hotei is considered one of the deities who bring happiness. And for many Chinese and even Japanese it is of great importance.

For one reason or another, Hotei is considered to be one of the emanations of Maitreya (although outwardly these two personalities are absolutely not alike, at least compare photos from the Internet). And it's all about the legend. According to it, once in his old age Tse-Tsy was sitting near a temple. Passers-by walked past him, and at some point Hotei suddenly declared: “Eh, you don’t notice that I am the future Maitreya!”

It must be said that in the east, Maitreya is revered as one of the Buddhas, and symbolizes prosperity, well-being and contentment.

So, it is not surprising that many consider Hotei to be the natural embodiment happy life, which comes into the house along with netsuke. Many people call him that - Buddha Hotei.

But in fairness, it must be said that Buddhists from several countries disagreed with this version. Oddly enough, the whole point turned out to be Hotei’s appearance - Buddhists are used to seeing their enlightened leader (that is, Buddha) slender and handsome, while the Chinese Hotei is frankly ugly and fat (photos of netsuke confirm this).

But an answer was quickly found to these indignant reproaches: Hotei’s appearance has its own meaning. According to another legend, in one of his incarnations, Buddha turned out to be so beautiful that he could not rest from the girls who went crazy about him. As a result, the Buddha decided not to confuse the impressionable female minds and turned into an elderly and fat man so that everything would fall into place again and everyone would mind their own business.

Wish Granter - Buddha Hotei

God Hotei is a talisman that brings a lot of luck, joy and wealth to the house. And if you also rub it on your stomach three hundred times, then you will not only polish your figure to a shine, but also charge it to fulfill its purpose. cherished desire. There is only one condition: throughout the entire “ritual” of rubbing the figurine, the desire must be kept in mind. This condition is of great importance.

The Chinese are generally convinced that the day of any decent person who wants everything in his life - from health and luck to material wealth and success in his endeavors - should begin with touching Hotei's belly. The most curious thing is that almost every Chinese businessman considers this belief to be true. And if you rub the belly of the Hotei figurine with children, you will find family well-being.

In addition, there is a legend that Hotei, with a bag on his back, collects all the misfortunes that come his way into his simple container.

Apparently, that’s why when the monk came to the villages, prosperity came there. It was as a result of this interpretation that the Hotei figurine was adopted by the science of Feng Shui, which is known as the doctrine of happiness and harmonization of the surrounding space.

When purchasing a Hotei figurine for your home, you first need to know that it needs to be activated (otherwise you can wait a very long time for the arrival of wealth and happiness). Actually, like any other amulet, Hotei needs to “get to know the new owner.”

The procedure itself has already been described above - you need to rub the belly of the ancient monk three hundred times, simultaneously holding in your head the desire that you so passionately dream of fulfilling. It can be anything - work, personal life, it doesn’t matter.

By the way, just before purchasing this figurine, you should try on the material from which Hotei is made. It is clear that you will receive the greatest amount of happiness and wealth from the figurine that is made of wood, stone, metal that suits you. As for the color in which the Hotei figurine should be painted, it must certainly be golden or white.