Carving Japanese Netsuke For Beginners

by Robert Jubb

Netsuke are carved Japanese miniatures that have evolved from their roots in the 17th century as simple button fasteners. (A traditional kimono has no pockets, so a small container, an inro, were used for personal stuff. The inro was hung by a cord from the sash of the kimono and the cord was kept from slipping from the sash by a small, usually carved ball, called a “netsuke.”) Nowadays these carvings may be intricate and highly collectible. Robert Jubb’s guide to Netsuke offers a historical context for netsuke and its materials, tools and techniques, and then a step-by-step guide to making netsuke.

The book features eight projects of increasing complexity. The steps of creating particular details of animal features – bumps on the toad’s body; feathers; hair; eyes – are explained with impressive clarity. An additional twenty-plus other projects are shown with basic details on design, materials and technique so that you can understand how the carving was made.

The book also includes a portfolio of exquisite netsuke, both ancient and contemporary, showcasing a level of detail and craft that makes netsuke so enchanting.

Softcover. 7.5″ x 10″. 176 pages.

Pages: 176
Binding: TP
Publisher: GMC