zhangshilong

That's true. Collectors have different preferences for both modern art crafts and ancient antiques, and there is no right or wrong in this regard. The value of antiques lies not only in the items themselves, but also in the history they embody. Thank you for your reply, John.

Undeniably, I am a craftsman from China who carves netsuke, yet I prefer to call myself a bone carver. My master has been creating bone carvings for decades, and people of his generation knew nothing about the concept of netsuke. I’d like to share a small piece of my work here. The main body is the skull of an ancient Homo sapiens. An umbilical cord extends from the eye socket of the skull and connects to a modern infant lying sound asleep atop it. The piece carries profound symbolism: the protection of ancestors and the dawn of new life. It depicts an encounter and reincarnation spanning millions of years. Generation after generation, humanity thrives and moves forward through the cycle of life.

Hello everyone. I'm new to this forum and have browsed through some posts. I'd like to share my personal thoughts here and discuss them with you all. Hello everyone. I’ve been wondering: what truly defines a genuine netsuke in everyone’s eyes? I’ve noticed some people argue that only bone carvings, wood carvings and similar craftworks produced during certain periods of Japanese history qualify as authentic netsuke — for instance, works from the Edo period. The Japanese Edo period roughly spanned the late Ming Dynasty to the early Qing Dynasty in China. During that era, China also had craftworks comparable to Japanese netsuke. Common examples included pendants hanging from scholars’ folding fans, ornaments worn on garments and waistbands, and handheld curios for daily appreciation. These pieces were widely seen in ordinary life, and crafted from nearly identical materials as Japanese netsuke, such as boxwood, ivory and animal bone. Quite a number of these Chinese carvings were even exported to Japan back then. So what exactly is a true netsuke? Must it be a piece crafted by a Japanese carver in Japan during a specific historical period? If a carving was made by a Chinese artisan in the Ming Dynasty and later exported to Japan during Japan’s Edo period, should it be recognized as a netsuke? Do collectors cherish and pursue netsuke merely for the physical artwork itself? I personally believe the answer is no. When people collect antique artworks, their value lies primarily in the history and culture they carry. Through these small artifacts, we can catch a glimpse of people’s lives in bygone eras, and share the joy of admiring and handling the same piece across time and space. From this perspective, once we trace an artifact’s origin, we can learn about the history and culture of Japan, China, or other regions of that age. Are modern netsuke creations worthless? I do not think so. Setting aside deliberate imitations and counterfeits, contemporary works infused with modern perspectives and interpretations objectively reflect stark differences from antique netsuke in terms of era, culture, ideology and artistic expression. Vintage netsuke possess their timeless charm, while modern pieces boast unique appeal of their own. These are just my personal views on netsuke as an art form. I welcome all of you to share your thoughts and join in the discussion.

It should be rotated 90 degrees clockwise. The name is "Ishikawa".

Hello, John. I believe the two should not be confused with each other. The Edo period of Japan marked the golden age of netsuke craftsmanship, while China was in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties during the same era. Back then, China also had ornaments made of bone, wood and other materials, such as pendants for scholars' folding fans, clothing accessories, and handheld curios for appreciation. From my perspective, it is impossible to draw a definite conclusion about which country such craftworks as netsuke originated from. Similar artifacts in different regions developed independently and in parallel. I I am also a carving enthusiast. I prefer to call my works bone carvings rather than netsuke, for my master is a bone carving artisan. What I am doing now is to refine my carving skills and infuse my creations with modern ideas and insights. This is one of my small pieces. Some people may find it unpleasant or even repulsive. It depicts a modern baby lying on the skull of a primitive human, connected by an umbilical cord. I intend to convey that modern humans share the same bloodline with our primitive ancestors, and that humanity has continued to reproduce and thrive through generations. Admittedly, this work may not appeal to everyone. To my mind, whether it is bone carving or netsuke, the essence lies in the inner meaning and cultural heritage. I have always looked down on those who merely copy works and make counterfeits for profit. t is just that Japanese netsuke gained widespread popularity and public attention. Influenced by this, many Chinese craftsmen in modern times have begun to create works in the style of Japanese netsuke, and even produce counterfeits for sale.