What do you think?
Rate this book
The Wonderful World of Netsuke: With One Hundred Masterpieces of Miniature Sculpture in Color
Roughly a century ago, when Japan emerged from the long seclusion of the Edo period and opened her doors to the West, a treasury of fascinating objets d'art was exposed to view. By no means the least fascinating among the discoveries by Westerners were the miniature works of art known as netsuke. These tiny
masterpieces of sculpture (mostly in ivory and wood), of lacquer, and of metalwork captivated collectors with the charm of their conception, the intricacy of their detail, and the sheer tactile pleasure of handling them. Basically they were utilitarian in purpose, serving as toggles or pendants to support medicine boxes, to bacco pouches, and similar articles suspended
by a cord from the obi. Originally primitive in design, they soon became more
and more sophisticated, and their makers turned increasingly to the legendry of Japan for their subject matter. It is with these masterpieces in miniature
that author-collector Raymond Bushell deals in The Wonderful World of Netsuke} picturing one hundred of them in color and offering a delightfully informative description of each. In so doing, he provides not only a visual treat but also an absorbing commentary on Japanese manners, customs, history, legends, and
superstitions. Mr. Bushell, besides being an avid collector of netsuke, sword furnishings, and jade, is widely known for his adaptation from the Japanese of The Netsuke Handbook of Ueda Reikichi.
masterpieces of sculpture (mostly in ivory and wood), of lacquer, and of metalwork captivated collectors with the charm of their conception, the intricacy of their detail, and the sheer tactile pleasure of handling them. Basically they were utilitarian in purpose, serving as toggles or pendants to support medicine boxes, to bacco pouches, and similar articles suspended
by a cord from the obi. Originally primitive in design, they soon became more
and more sophisticated, and their makers turned increasingly to the legendry of Japan for their subject matter. It is with these masterpieces in miniature
that author-collector Raymond Bushell deals in The Wonderful World of Netsuke} picturing one hundred of them in color and offering a delightfully informative description of each. In so doing, he provides not only a visual treat but also an absorbing commentary on Japanese manners, customs, history, legends, and
superstitions. Mr. Bushell, besides being an avid collector of netsuke, sword furnishings, and jade, is widely known for his adaptation from the Japanese of The Netsuke Handbook of Ueda Reikichi.
72 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1995
1 person want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 3, 2010
This is a lovely window into Japanese life. The netsuke chosen form a social history of Japan, from 'farmer art' to popular literature to the sport of butt wrestling. Bushell conveniently grouped subjects together, so that if someone wants to study a particular subject, say toads in Japanese art, the examples are all in the same place.
Each piece of art has a couple paragraphs describing its significance, which make it a pleasant book to browse during a meal. In addition, fans of art nouveau will probably enjoy Netsuke number eighty seven.
Each piece of art has a couple paragraphs describing its significance, which make it a pleasant book to browse during a meal. In addition, fans of art nouveau will probably enjoy Netsuke number eighty seven.
August 8, 2012
my cousin :)
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews