Inada Ichiro (Japanese, 1891-1979) was an important 20th century netsuke artist. For centuries, the Japanese have used miniature sculptures hung by cords from the sash of their traditional garments ...

Reclining goat by Kaigyokusai Masatsugu (late 1800s), ivory with eyes inlaid in coral and dark horn pupils, Osaka, Japan (courtesy British Museum, gift of Professor John and Mr.s Anne Hull Grundy, all ...

In the hands of Japanese netsuke carvers like Ryushi Komada, something quite mundane becomes sublime. From a simple block of wood emerges a delicate and expressive face, the sense of movement in the ...

LONDON — In his award-winning biography, “The Hare With Amber Eyes,” British ceramic artist Edmund de Waal tells the story of his family through its collection of Japanese netsuke carvings. Netsuke ...

David Ellis' collection of netsuke and other antique and vintage Asian carvings is small enough to fit into a shoebox. Small is part of the collection's appeal. But, he says, "quality of workmanship ...

What: The exquisite miniature carvings known as netsuke were the essence of understated chic during the Edo period (1615-1868) in Japan. Collected internationally for over a century, these exquisitely ...

If you always head for the special exhibitions when visiting the Dayton Art Institute, here’s a suggestion: set aside some time to check out the concurrent Focus exhibits as well. About three years ...

Japanese carved figurines, called netsuke, weren’t just cool works of art — they served a practical purpose as wardrobe accessories. A well-dressed Japanese man prior to the twentieth century could ...

NETSUKE, intricately carved toggles designed to hang from the sash of a man’s kimono, appear to be back in fashion. Not as smart, decorative accessories, but as treasures to be enjoyed for their ...