Netsuke Exhibition at the Embassy of Japan

In a Nutshell, Japanese netsuke from European collections

Unmistakably Japanese, yet sourced exclusively from European collections, this exhibition at the Japanese Embassy reflects the burgeoning interest for netsuke in the Western world, giving an insight into some of the finest collections of these miniature carvings to be found on earth. Displaying over 200 pieces from private collections across Europe, many of which have never previously been accessible to the public, it depicts mythical Japanese culture ‘in a nutshell’, with many of the subjects deriving from folklore, such as the half-fish, half-tiger shachihoko, and the various oni (‘demons’), whose protruding eyes and devilish horns seem to have been popular with late 18th Century carvers. The development of netsuke accompanied the escalating popularity of the Zodiac in Japan, something that is manifested in the section of netsuke featuring animals of the Zodiac, often providing some of the more detailed and beautiful works in the exhibition. For instance, the ivory figure of a Macaque, sitting with a tiny snail, is not only extremely delicate and intricately carved, but the primate’s puzzled expression provides an injection of amusement into the work.

These miniature sculptures initially served a practical use in Edo period Japan, in which the clothing of men did not have pockets, or indeed space, for storing any daily necessities. Women used to store items in the loose, baggy sleeves of the kimono, but for men, the solution was provided by netsuke. Men would place personal belongings in inrō – tiny nested cases – which were then attached  to the kimono belt (obi) using a cord which was fastened by a netsuke. Originally uncomplicated, netsuke soon became a sign of wealth, and began to be more elaborately crafted, eventually leading to their popularity as aesthetic ornaments in the West.

Examples of inrō and other sagemono (‘hanging objects attached to a sash’) are also on view at the exhibition.

As well as examining examples of ‘original’ netsuke produced in Japan in the Edo and Meiji periods, one can also see contemporary netsuke carved by British sculptors of the 20th Century, and it is particularly interesting to look at these, and compare them to their predecessors. These Western versions seem to be able to capture the essence of the oriental ornaments, and replicate the intricacies and originality so often missing in modern imitations – indeed, so much so that they are initially indistinguishable from those produced in Japan. This European fascination with all things Japanese developed in the 19th Century, when Liverpool-based businessmen Randall Hibbert and Frederick Mayor developed an enthusiasm for Japanese art and were amongst the first importers of items such as weapons and netsuke. Their collections were donated to World Museum, Liverpool and make up part of its collection.

Amongst the pieces sits a certain small ivory hare from the collection of Edmund de Waal, who, through writing about the trials and tribulations of a particular set of netsuke owned by his ancestors in his worldwide bestseller The Hare with Amber Eyes, has re-ignited the demand and interest in these small Japanese sculptures to such an extent that netsuke are now better known outside Japan than in their country of origin. The title piece for de Waal’s work possesses an eye-capturing beauty and elegance unparalleled in the exhibition, combining pure simplicity with its striking white colour, produced by the use of the purest ivory, suggesting the reflection of the moon off this lunar hare that chases across the sky in Japanese mythology. It sits content, unaware of all the piercing eyes of demons and other frantic monsters that surround it, yet still one cannot resist giving it full attention. Having only just survived the perils of Nazi Germany when de Waal’s ancestors, despite losing their great array of valuable art, managed to retain 264 netsuke with the help of their loyal maid, this piece is more than just a netsuke, proceeding to be not only the inspiration for the most well-known piece of netsuke-related literature, but also the catalyst that initially sparked much of the current interest in this subject. It is the first time that it has been on public display so if you only go for one thing, this exhibition presents a magnificent opportunity to view this extraordinary hare ‘in the flesh’.

Text by Cosmo Radford

The exhibition is on from 4 April to 31 May 2013; Monday-Friday, 9:30-17:30, Embassy of Japan, 101-104 Piccadilly

For more information about the exhibition, please click here.

In A Nutshell leaflet