Netsuke Central

[ROKUJURO]

Yes, exactly! A nice one!

[John C]

I have two questions about obi-hasami netsuke. 

Firstly, I was wondering how these were actually worn. I assume the himo would go through the two holes often found at the top, however did the sagemono just hang from these holes? It seems like it would swing too much. Were the hooked ends worn toward the body or away from the body?

Secondly, many I have seen are made from bone. Is there some significance to using bone or was it just a tough material?

 

John C.

[Bugyotsuji]

John, antler like yours, or bone, we will see nowadays more often since ivory has been largely legislated away. Just plain and smooth on the back? A sweet thing.

 

These were designed for the width of an average obi, fitting or locking behind the obi, with the decoration facing outwards. Your comment about ‘swinging’ makes sense and may account for the relative shortness of time that these were in fashion. I have two or three examples, ranging from crude to fairly good, but I was blown away recently by a beautiful one for around $8,000 in a Kyoto antiques fair!

[Matsunoki]

5 hours ago, Bugyotsuji said:

but I was blown away recently by a beautiful one for around $8,000 in a Kyoto antiques fair!

And…….?🙂

[ROKUJURO]

Colin,

of course Piers bought it right away! 

[Bugyotsuji]

22 minutes ago, Matsunoki said:

And…….?🙂

Whole post just disappeared again. Grrr…

And I smiled at the dealer. 
Those grapes were probably sour anyway.

Besides, I had found some other neat stuff, and there is No Way I would pay that for an obi-hasami!

Here’s my modest contribution to this thread, the best one I have. (One of mine has virtually no decoration at all.)

 

The front

 

the reverse

[Matsunoki]

7 minutes ago, Bugyotsuji said:

the reverse

Is that really the reverse Piers?….seems strange if it isn’t seen…..but I know nothing about this type of netsuke 

[Bugyotsuji]

2 minutes ago, Matsunoki said:

Is that really the reverse Piers?….seems strange if it isn’t seen…..but I know nothing about this type of netsuke 

The blind leading the blind. The signature is usually hidden? I wonder if Max or Rosemary could help us?

[Matsunoki]

1 hour ago, Bugyotsuji said:

I wonder if Max or Rosemary could help us?

Possibly……you ask em? I’ve never had dealings there……🙂…..bit too posh for me…

[John C]

I got curious when trying to figure out what the design on my latest one was. Just this design on top and plain everywhere else. Mumei.

I know they aren't a particularly old design.

 

John C.

[Bugyotsuji]

Nice. Reminds me of the Hojo uroko (dragon scale) kamon, piece of third triangle down left, with a hanabishi (?) top right.

 

 

[John C]

hmm...maru-hanabishi with triangles. Could have been carved to match someone's kimono pattern.

 

John C.

[mecox]

@Bugyotsuji  @Matsunoki     any clues what this is?  I have no idea.  May be just a fish?  Came from Japan  30 years ago, 3.5 cm long. 

 

 

          

[ROKUJURO]

A chopstick rest?

[Bugyotsuji]

4 minutes ago, ROKUJURO said:

A chopstick rest?

They usually come in sets, but good idea, maybe better than a brush rest.

[mecox]

any idea of the material?  I can see some type of grain elongate to the figure.    Or a comment.

[Bugyotsuji]

Looks like elephant ivory from the Schreger lines in one of those shots, Mal. Not so old though, probably 20th C. (Just a gut feeling)

[John C]

I found an obi-hasami online that had small eyelets installed in the himotoshi. It got me thinking that if the sagemono were worn under the haori jacket, it wouldn't swing much and with the sagemono hanging free in the front, it would be more accessible.

John C.

[Matsunoki]

6 hours ago, mecox said:

any idea of the material?  I can see some type of grain elongate to the figure.    Or a comment.

Hi Mal

Agree with Piers…..elephant ivory and fairly “modern”. As for function….most likely (imo) a tourist souvenir of modest quality. Is there a small hole going into the mouth in which case could be pendant or a key ring having lost its loop. 

[mecox]

Thanks Colin,  yes small hole in mouth.  OK likely a gift happy item.  If of stated material, then I suppose difficult to sell?

[Matsunoki]

9 minutes ago, mecox said:

If of stated material, then I suppose difficult to sell?

Indeed depending on your local laws. Illegal to sell in UK.