Contempory Netsuke


Book Description

Contemporary Netsuke is an in-depth study of Japanese netsuke—miniature sculptures that are favorites of collectors and artists. In this unusual and engaging Japanese art book the author traces the historical background of netsuke and goes on to examine its current state, at the same time providing the background knowledge that every collector needs concerning authenticity, workmanship, and materials along with a wealth of information on subject matter, techniques, scholarly interest, and investement. Over 110 signatures and brief biographies of present-day netsuke and okimono carvers are included, and there are close-up studies of 27 leading artists. Contemporary Netsuke also includes nearly 200 illustrations, a photo essay showing the creation of a netsuke, and numerous sketches picturing legendary themes. A comprehensive list of dealers, a bibliography, and a glossary-index complete this authoritative, thorough and lively introduction to one of the oldest and newest of Japan's living arts.




Netsuke Japanese Life and Legend in Miniature


Book Description

Featuring dozens of Japanese netsuke masterpieces and extensive commentary, this Japanese art book is a treasured collector's item. Netsuke are superb miniature carvings, usually less than two inches high, that have been created by Japanese artists for over three hundred years. During that time, they have portrayed almost every aspect of life and culture in Japan. These tiny carvings were traditionally used to prevent the cord attached to a gentleman's medicine box or tobacco pouch from slipping through the belt of his kimono. Today they are highly collectible works of art. Netsuke: Japanese Life and Legend in Miniature presents over seventy full-page color photographs of netsuke in enchanting settings. The accompanying text gives technical details about the netsuke as well as interesting commentaries relating the pieces to Japanese life and legend. Information on the carvers has also been provided whenever possible.




The Ultimate Netsuke Bibliography


Book Description

The Ultimate Netsuke Bibliography is a comprehensive bibliography of more than 4,400 bibliographic print and non-print entries covering all aspects of Japanese netsuke, the miniature carvings which Japanese men used to suspend various items from the sash belt that fastened their kimono. It is organized into 15 major and 5 minor categories. Each category is further divided into 11 subcategories. Additional features include four indices (Author, Journal, Place, and Subject), and a variety of appendices. It contains 2,196 books, 1,861 journal articles (457 from the Netsuke Kenkyukai Study Journal), 367 from the Journal of the International Netsuke Collectors Society 1,494 auction catalogs, 431 items in French, 254 items in Japanese, 60 items prior to 1900, including 9 auction catalogs. Includes most materials published through the end of 1998. A section of Late Arrivals, including last minute submissions and items in early 1999, is listed as well. This volume is a necessity for every netsuke collector, bibliophile, art library and museum.










Never Enough


Book Description

From a basic Boy Scout knife and other simple pocketknives to rare Persian rugs, and from a strong interest in historic American clay jugs to fine Asian jade pieces, author Dr. John E. Burke has collected it all. In Never Enough, he describes his life journey through collecting, and at the same time explores why man is a collecting species. This memoir offers a look inside the mind of a passionate, knowledgeable collector as he discusses his progression from a curious neophyte to a proficient, expert collector in each of his eight domains. Burke walks through the stages of how to gain knowledge and experience and how he personally mastered each of his collections. He narrates how he became a collector of antiques and explains his passion for the objects he collects. Offering a useful introduction to collecting. Never Enough focuses on Burkes personal aspects of collecting including his own motivations and those of other collectors, and, ultimately, the meaning and satisfaction of collecting.




The Virginia Atchley Collection of Japanese Miniature Arts


Book Description

For over forty years, the name Virginia Atchley has been synonymous with the collecting fo miniature Japanese arts in America. Virginia Atchley has now decided to share her collection with other aficionados in this book. Detailed here are over 400 pieces, with signatures.