What are Chinese netsuke made of? What does the laughing Buddha mean and where should it be placed? A small ritual for God Hotei to give wealth

According to Feng Shui, the god of luck and wealth, Hotei, is considered the patron of material wealth, joyful communication and unrestrained fun. Hotei symbolizes harmony, prosperity and success in various areas of life, and if properly placed in the house, it can make the life of all its inhabitants comfortable and cloudless.

What should people expect from a god named Hotei

The traditional meaning of Hotei with a bag on his back is to attract wealth, prosperity and success in matters related to work and business. In Japanese mythology, this god is known as Budai (in literal translation- "linen bag"). The inhabitants of the country of the Rising Sun believe that it brings good luck to the house and helps to increase the level of income and material well-being of all its inhabitants.

Hotei is also called the money Buddha and the Buddha of Abundance. God generates positive Qi energy and destroys negative Shi energy. He is able to prevent the harmful effects of passing stars, which bring diseases and all sorts of misfortunes. Since the Hotei figurine means prosperity and joy in various manifestations, its color plays an important role. According to feng shui, it should be golden or white.

What does the god of prosperity and fun look like

In Feng Shui, Hotei is depicted on a toad, but more often without it, with a big belly and a stuffed bag in which he carries jewelry, money and gold. There is another version that claims that in a tight bag of a smiling peasant with a huge belly there are not gems and coins, but human troubles and hardships. Among his companions are often observed: children, a dragon, a horse, an elephant, a turtle and a snake. The dragon attracts new investments in business, the turtle - wisdom in life affairs, children are able to help spouses who want to have a baby.

A Hotei figurine can be made from different materials such as gypsum, amber, clay, stone, wood, metal alloy or stone chips. A popular souvenir is a keychain in the form of a pot-bellied Hotei. There are both miniature figurines and huge statues depicting the god of prosperity. In his hands he can have a variety of attributes, from a yoke and a peach, to a vase, a rosary or a pearl.

Note! Pearls are considered a symbol of spiritual and material wealth, peach fruits symbolize longevity, and rosaries symbolize the search for spiritual enlightenment.

Where is the best place to place a Hotei figurine

You can put a figurine of the god of well-being in the apartment in a variety of places. Those who wish to gain respect and honor should place the figurine near the door in the hallway. At the same time, Hotei's gaze should be clearly fixed on the entrance. People who dream of success and recognition are advised to place a figurine in the southern part of the house. If Hoteychik is placed in the southeastern zone of the dwelling, he will be able to attract good luck to the owners in lotteries and gambling. The figurine of God, placed in the eastern sector, attracts harmony and harmony to the apartment.

According to Feng Shui, the god of wealth Hotei is located in the house depending on the intentions of his owners. A statuette of a pot-bellied man with a cane is best placed in the health sector, Hotei with a pearl is preferable to be placed in the sector of knowledge and wisdom (northeast zone). The best place for the god of well-being, surrounded by a pack of children, is the western or southwestern part of the dwelling.

Note! Since the meaning of Hotei in Feng Shui is very capacious and extensive, you can buy several figurines, placing them in the most prominent places in the house.

What you need to do to fulfill your cherished desires

In order to make a wish, you must activate the figurine, symbolizing the god of prosperity. You will need to rub his stomach in a clockwise direction at least three hundred times in a row, concentrating all your attention on your own dream. Before leaving the house, it is worth stroking Hotei's belly, for which he will surely reward you with good luck and good mood.

Legends of Hotei

Although hotei for the home is far from being a simple decoration, God has an absolutely real prototype. One of the most common legends says that the prototype of Hotei is a monk named Tsitsy, who, instead of solitude, wandered through the crowded market squares and markets. He earned his living by predicting the weather. Of the property, the monk had only a cane, a rosary and a bag of dense fabric, where he put alms from his hands. good people. Despite the wandering lifestyle, from under his cassock he had a huge belly protruding, in which the highest concentration of Qi (vital energy) was concentrated.

It is worth looking at the photo of the Buddha, who had a similar belly, in order to understand that the Chinese considered a large belly a sign of the breadth of the soul. Where the monk Tsitsy, the prototype of the god Hotei, appeared, people's health improved and the level of material well-being increased. When someone asked him a question about the contents of the bag, he would answer: "The whole world is there."

The god of wealth Hotei in ancient Chinese science is one of the central persons, so today you can meet his image in any corner of our vast planet.

No wonder they say that thoughts are material: what you diligently think about, you will soon receive. If you think about the bad, it will become your faithful companion, but if, in spite of everything, about the good, happiness and good luck will not pass you by. It is difficult to imagine such a person who is only able to rejoice and accept with a smile everything that is intended for him. However, history tells us that there were such. For example, the wandering Chinese monk Hotei, who became the prototype of the figurines of the Laughing Monk or Budai, which are widespread throughout the world. He carried people in his big canvas bag joy and good luck, prosperity, prosperity and harmony in return for all their sorrows, troubles and hardships, he was always cheerful and happy.

According to the Feng Shui system, Hotei is one of the seven gods responsible for happiness. However, today Feng Shui experts are increasingly using this deity to attract wealth, material wealth.

Often, on the statuette, the god of wealth is depicted not only with a large bag, but also holding various objects that additionally attract various benefits:

• pearls - any wealth (both in the spiritual and material spheres);
• peach - longevity;
• rosary - spiritual harmony and balance;
• fan - protection from all obstacles and barriers that hinder the achievement of goals;
• staff and pumpkin - success and prosperity, financial and family well-being.

To attract financial luck, Hotei is depicted in a pair with the Dragon.

For contact cash flows in your direction, the figurine of Budai, located in a pyramid with sand and coins, will help ensure career success.

For those who dream of having a family and offspring, Feng Shui experts recommend choosing Hotei, surrounded by children.

The meaning of hotei figurines also depends on the position of the deity itself: figurines with a seated deity are charged feminine energy and are located in rooms with a shortage of the latter, the figures of Hotei, who is standing, carry male energy, respectively, are placed in a space where there is a lack of it.

Where to place the deity

To accurately determine the location of Hotei, you will need to most accurately formulate your cherished desire for now. And if you have several requests to the deity - it does not matter. There is no limit to the number of deities in your dwelling, so Laughing Budai figurines can stand in different rooms, working for different purposes.

In the hall, for example, it is necessary to put a laughing fat man facing the door - he will meet with a shield those who come to you with a sword, transform negative energies into vital Qi energy.

In a room located in the southeast, you can put a god to attract profit and monetary energy.

Those who want to give birth to a child need to put a figurine of a deity surrounded by children in the love zone.

If you are trying with all your might to achieve recognition, then Hotei should take a place in the southern sector of your monastery.

If you are a business person, spend a lot of time negotiating at computers, place your divine protector near you, turning him to face the interlocutors - this way he will perform the same function as in the hallway.

It is very important to remember that the god of wealth cannot be placed directly on the floor - it is best to make a special stand.

Figurine sizes

Work equally well and large and small hoteychiki. But here it’s still worth mentioning that the larger your size is, the easier it will be for him to process a large amount of negativity into positive energy.

Therefore, at home you can get by with small gods, but in rooms where a large number of people circulate, it is better to put a statue of impressive size.

The color should be either gold or white - experts say so.

It is the hotei of these colors that work as talismans, the rest of the options are nothing more than ordinary trinkets or just decor for your interior.

The material matters too

An additional bonus that enhances the attraction of certain benefits due to the Feng Shui Hotei figurine will be the choice of material from which the latter is made. According to the recommendations of experts, it is best to choose a figurine of a deity made of the material that suits your zodiac sign (it can be metal, wood, or stone). If you want the deity to work not only for you, but for the whole family, you must take into account that the main element of the wealth zone is a tree, therefore, wooden figurines should be preferred.

Printed images also work if placed correctly.

Ritual to create a vase of wealth

A person always strives to have everything in abundance, but health, happiness, luck, wealth, love, unfortunately, you will not find in abundance. Therefore, to attract all these benefits, we can make a pot of wealth with our own hands. The word "wealth" this case serves as a generalized concept, because not only money, but also love, and luck, and happiness, and even more so health, are untold riches.

The first main condition of the ritual is the presence of some divine creature, for example, the same Hotei. The size of the figurine of the deity does not matter, the main thing is the presence - so your ritual will take place under the protection of higher powers.

The second main condition is candles. What kind of candles depends on your main goal at the moment: a green candle is a symbol of money, pink is love, red is passion, yellow is happiness, blue is health, orange is friendship.

Thirdly, the presence of the vase or pot itself, since the vessel must be with a lid and always with a narrowed neck. It is very important that the vase has a front part, which can be indicated by the drawing on the vase. If the latter is not present, then it is necessary to make some kind of mark in order to later know where the face is and where the back of the vase is.

We will also need:

• earth (25-30% of the total volume of the vase);
• five types of dry food (mandatory components should be rice, beans, peas, pearl barley, the fifth type is at your discretion);
• a small symbol of wealth (possibly the same Hotei);
• magic crystals (can be purchased at any specialized store);
• natural stones (citrine, amethyst, malachite, rose quartz - all of them remarkably attract money and good luck);
• a banknote or a bank card, or gold coins tied with gold thread as an attribute of wealth;
• Rui's wand as a symbol of power;
• five handkerchiefs in the colors of the five elements (red, blue, green, yellow and white) approximately 20 by 20 cm in size;
• five laces (red, blue, green, yellow and white) no longer than 0.5 m.

We put all this in our magical vessel in the strictly listed order, close the lid, cover with handkerchiefs and tie with laces. We put it in the zone of wealth so that this vase is not visible to another's eye. And we are waiting for pleasant changes.

Remember that any symbol or deity is powered primarily by your own battery called faith.

Since ancient times, people believed that various talismans and small copies of statues of gods bring all sorts of benefits - good luck, profit, happiness in family life protection from enemies and diseases. Any object of nature acted as talismans - from stones to water in tiny bottles.

For those who have a talisman with them, it often seems that fortune will favor them. But often people do not have an exact idea that each talisman has a certain meaning. For example, if you wish happiness in the house, but use it for this, it is likely that you will not receive either one or the other in the proper measure.

In the East, to this day, they are very kind to talismans. One of these amulets are Netsuke figurines - images of people, gods, animals carved from wood and stone. Many people collect these figurines. Each figurine has its own purpose, which helps to fulfill a particular desire.

Types of Netsuke

The most famous Netsuke figurines, which can be seen not only with every collector, but also with people who do not even plan to collect them, are, and, depicted as a handsome fat man with a bag of wealth over his shoulders and gold coins in his palm. The toad symbolizes wealth and prosperity, while Hotei bestows happiness and can grant wishes.

There are also the following types of Netsuke:

1. Katabori. Small carvings of people and animals.

2. Anabori. Shells, inside of which various subjects are depicted.

3. Sasi. The figurine is a keychain, it has a hole for a cord or ribbon to always carry it with you.

4. Mask. A small replica of the Noh mask, a special female mask used by Japanese kabuki theater actors.

5. Manju. Small ivory circles or two semicircles.

6. Itaraku. Small boxes woven from cane.

7. Ryusa. It looks like a manju, but is hollow inside, and with a small carved border.

8. Kagamibuta. Nice little ball figurine.

What are netsuke made of?

The material for the manufacture of these figures is of great importance. Talismans made of stone help to gain firmness of will, and those made of wood - health and prosperity. Of course, there are a huge number of types of stones and tree species, and each figurine carved from a certain material has its own purpose.

The most popular tree species for making Netsuke is sakura, which has positive energy and helps to find peace of mind. Cherry figurines are highly valued. To accept such a figurine as a gift is worth good mood and complacent mood, because the tree absorbs negative energy, and be sure to then return it to the owner of the amulet.

Another well-known material is boxwood, which gives health and longevity. Boxwood figurines endow the owner with beauty, slow down the aging process and purify the aura.

Another suitable material for Netsuke is a deer horn. Figures carved from bone bring good luck and prosperity. Bone images of Netsuke most often represent demons and water creatures - snakes, fish. Demons are not dangerous, and, despite the terrible faces, make fortune turn to face the owner of the figurine.

It also happens that figurines are made of stone, the most popular material is the mineral jade. But this is a very painstaking and long task, and it is quite difficult to cut out all the necessary details and attributes that rely on the figures. The stone is difficult to handle in such detail. Therefore, bones and wood in the manufacture of Netsuke remain out of competition.

The meaning of the most famous Netsuke figurines

In addition to the notorious toad and Hotei, there are several other popular figurines that bring various benefits.

Gods:

Sage Darun - a smiling old man with a long beard bestows courage and fortitude.

Daikoku - a cute fat man with a bag of rice in his hands is the keeper of the hearth and gladly gives wealth and prosperity to the owner of the figurine.

Ebisu - a cute grandfather with a bunch of fish in his hands attracts good luck and helps to keep it.

Shousim - a gloomy sage personifies health and long life.

Futen is a cheerful god who plays the role of. His figurine, like a charm, is taken with them on a long journey.

Jurojin - a smiling fat man brings a happy and long life without worries to the house.

Beinzaiten - a female deity for lovely young ladies, guards the hearth and gladly bestows prosperity.

Bishamonten is a bearded warrior god, thieves are not afraid of him.

Fukurokuju is the long-bearded, big-headed god of wisdom.

Animals:

Dogs - a talisman against failures and an assistant in family understanding.

Bull - abundance and wealth.

A goldfish - just like a toad, attracts good luck in money matters, and the wallet will never be empty.

Revered being, friend and guardian. Wise, strong and rich.

Carps (two or nine) - love and understanding in the family.

The eagle is an assistant in building career growth.

Three monkeys are protectors from evil spirits, magnets for success and wealth.

There is also a vase with peonies, which brings happiness and love to family life.

In order to get all the blessings, it is not enough to buy figurine Netsuke or accept it as a gift. In order for good luck and its attendant joys to fall into the house to the full, you need to believe in the powers of Netsuke, and also know how to properly arrange the figures in the house. The notorious will help with this, which will explain where it is better to put the figure in order to attract the greatest flow of positive energy.

God Hotei in the theory of Feng Shui is the god of wealth, health, happiness, fun. This character has a lot of different nicknames - Buddha of abundance, Laughing Buddha, Netsuke and many others. The term "hotei" means "canvas bag", which accompanies God always and everywhere. From it, the saint derives those benefits that are worthy of everyone who clearly fulfills all the prescriptions of the Feng Shui teachings.

There is a belief that the prototype of the now famous god Hotei is a monk named Chi-Tzu, who actually lived in China many years ago. He was very friendly, funny, generous. Qi-Ci's advice always brought good luck and contributed to the well-being of those to whom he sincerely distributed it.

The figurine of Hotei is the most popular souvenir in the eastern states. This is a talisman that is desired by every person, attracting prosperity, health, happiness to the house, office. Such a thing must be put in the right place at home. After that, very soon there will be significant improvements in the field of finance.

In appearance, this is a figure of a bald, fat, pot-bellied peasant, usually sitting, with a bag at the ready. His enlarged statues in the countries of the East are often found on the streets right near the entrance to markets, shopping malls, shops. So Hotei, the god of wealth, attracts customers and increases the profit of the owner of the outlet. It makes no sense to keep a talisman of this size in your home.

A small figurine is no less effective than a large statue. The main thing is the right choice of a place for its installation. The canvas bag that the character always wears, according to one version, is filled with untold riches, according to another, God takes human sorrows, illnesses and lack of money into it.

Varieties and meaning of Hotei figurines

Images of the deity are produced all over the world in white or gold. The material of manufacture does not matter. Figurines can be made of wood, metal, stone chips, plaster, clay. Dimensions for production - arbitrary. There are strictly defined types of this god. A figurine of Hotei can sit on a frog, hold a fan in his hands, in a pyramid, with a rosary, a pearl, surrounded by children and many others.

The most common versions of the talisman:

1. Sitting on a three-legged toad. The three-legged frog is the most powerful symbol in the teachings of Feng Shui, which serves to attract cash flows. If God sits on a toad, this means that such a fetish attracts finances to a house, apartment, office much more than a simple figure. This amulet will greatly help those categories of people who want to get rich quick.
2. Sitting on a dragon turtle. The symbol well attracts financial flows. It effectively helps people to create acquaintances, partnerships necessary for successful business promotion. With his presence, contracts, agreements and profitable deals are concluded much more successfully. Thanks to the amulet, it will be easier to get the patronage of influential people. It contributes to the profitable placement of cash investments and obtaining multiple profits.
3. In a pyramid with golden sand and coins. With this amulet, entrepreneurs and owners will build a successful career. It will help you focus on the most profitable business, not rush about and shy away in search of a suitable business, without exchanging for nothing.
4. With a pearl. Pearl symbolizes financial success, wealth and prosperity. The amulet attracts money like a magnet. It has one more property - to promote the spiritual growth of a person, opening him the shortest path to the knowledge of everything new, progressive.
5. With a fan. Netsuke attracts money, good luck. The talisman contributes to life changes for the better.
6. With gourd, bamboo, peach, ginseng staff. Fetishes with such additions prolong life and attract money.
7. With rosary. They open the way to knowledge, bring wealth.
8. With a bowl, gold bars or coins. At the same time, they attract finance, and also contribute to their reasonable and effective investments.
9. With a yoke on which hangs a basket of gold bars and a coin of happiness. Attracts prosperity, luck, happiness, wealth.
10. Want with children. The amulet helps married couples to have children. In addition, he attracts money for their successful development, growth and subsistence.

Execution affects the value of the talisman. The figurine of Hotei is acquired depending on the dream or desire of the owner.

God Hotei in Feng Shui

Where to put such a powerful symbol of wealth in the house? The figurine of the god Hotei should be placed in that area of ​​the house, apartment, office, where it will correspond to the specific desires of the owner of the talisman. Respect, honor, glory brings a talisman located indoors next to entrance doors. It must be placed facing the front door.

By placing the fetish in the southern area of ​​the living quarters, the specific accomplishments of the figure's owner can be recognized. Wealth, prosperity, money are attracted by an amulet standing in the southeastern zone of your house, apartment, office. Soon this will be expressed in the fact that, unexpectedly for your family, a completely new source of income will open up or you will win a big win in the lottery.

By placing the figurine in the eastern housing area, the owner attracts family harmony and harmony for those who live in it. For the well-being of children, Hotei, surrounded by children, is placed in the western or southwestern side of the children's room.

If you put Hotei's figurine on your desktop in the office, he will attract wealth, help in appointment to a lucrative position, create effective protection from the evil eye, damage, intrigue, gossip. Feng Shui teaching allows you to install several figures in different sectors in one room.

How to handle the talisman

Despite the fact that Hotei is the god of wealth, luck, fun, nevertheless, he requires that he be treated with respect. Around the place where your amulet is installed, the whole space should always be clean, shining, tidy. The figurine of Hotei should be located so that everyone - the owners and guests can admire the talisman.

When the god Hotei is pleased with everything, he bestows the residents of this apartment, private house, office, any other premises with all sorts of benefits, wealth, love, health.

Amulet activation

The Hotei figurine has the ability to fulfill desires for its owner. When a new talisman appears in the house, it should be activated correctly. Then he will feel like a full member of your family and actively maintain well-being, good luck, and health in the house.

The activation process consists in choosing the required zone and installing the amulet in its permanent place. The correct choice of the zone was described above, we will dwell on only one point. All operations for the selection of a place, the installation of a figurine should be carried out cheerfully, with enthusiasm, using a creative approach to this process.

At the same time, it is necessary to forget all grievances, tune in to the positive, observe courtesy and respect for each other. It is good when all family members, the elderly and small children will be present at the same time. Joint interesting business, which is the placement of Netsuke, contributes to its confident further stay in your family.

Rituals for the talisman

In order for you to carry out all your plans, there are two main rituals performed with the amulet. To perform the first ritual, one should stroke the belly of the deity clockwise 300 times. At the same time, you need to concentrate and think about your desire all the time. Negative thoughts, negative emotions should not be allowed, there should only be good feelings and thoughts.

During communication with the amulet, it is better to stay one on one with the deity, not to be distracted, especially not to swear or shout. The second ritual - leaving the house, every time it is useful to stroke the fetish on the stomach. This will attract good luck and it will accompany you throughout the day.

From the material of the article it is clear that the amulet acquired by any person is able to radically and qualitatively change his life and the lives of people close to him for the better. The amulet will help many: scientists, entrepreneurs, people in need of housing, families who do not have, but passionately want to have children.

When purchasing a figurine, you need to think through your further actions to the smallest detail. This means choosing the right place for placing the figurine in your home, activating the amulet with the participation of all family members with pleasure, and clearly carrying out all the rituals in relation to the fetish.

And then the figurine of Hotei will reward you with its location, will gladly help you and attract the desired benefits - wealth, happiness, good luck, health!

Netsuke (根付) is a miniature sculpture, a work of Japanese arts and crafts, which is a small carved keychain. Netsuke are small figurines carved with fine craftsmanship from ivory, walrus tusk, wood, tree root, tortoise shell, deer antler; less often - from coral, amber, jade, soapstone or metal. Usually netsuke were small in size from 2-3 to 15 cm.

Netsuke were used as a pendant on traditional Japanese kimonono (着物) and kosode (帯鉗) clothing, which lacked pockets. Small items like a pouch or a key were placed in special containers called sagemono (下げ物). The containers could be in the form of pouches or small wicker baskets, but the most popular were the inro (印籠) drawers, which were closed with a bead that slid along an ojime (緒締め) cord. Inro were attached to the kimonono obi (帯) belt with a cord. He was tied into a ring, folded in half and passed through a belt. A netsuke was attached to one end of the resulting loop. The cord knot was hidden in one of the two himotoshi (紐解) netsuke holes connected by a through valve. Thus, netsuke served both as a kind of counterweight and an elegant decoration of clothing.

Netsuke should not be confused with okimono (置き物 , 置物), a miniature Japanese sculpture similar to netsuke in design, subject matter, and often size. In okimono, there is always no hole for the cord, that is, these sculptures are devoid of utilitarian functions.

The word okimono ("placed thing") is the general name for all small easel sculpture intended only for interior decoration. It refers to figurines made of any material. When the term okimono is used in connection with netsuke, it refers to sculptures made of ivory and, rarely, wood. Such okimono arose later - not earlier than the 19th century and were created by craftsmen whose main specialty was netsuke carving.

The question of the origin of netsuke can be resolved in two ways: netsuke is a Japanese invention, or netsuke were borrowed. Netsuke is both a utilitarian piece of costume, having a specific shape, and a work of art, designed in a certain style. Each of these "aspects" of netsuke can give a different answer to the question of their origin.

Netsuke-type counterbalance trinkets were used over a wide area: in Japan and Hungary, in the Far North and in Ethiopia. In essence, netsuke appear where there is a suit without pockets, but with a belt. Therefore, it is risky to explain the custom of wearing objects like netsuke as borrowed from outside: this custom may turn out to be local. If the key fobs existing in different countries, reveal stylistic affinity, then this is a good reason to assume influences and borrowings.

Netsuke in the form of sticks or buttons were used before, but it was in the 17th century that they began to take on the character of a miniature sculpture.

In Japan, if not the custom of wearing objects behind a belt with the help of a counterweight-trinket, then the specifics of its decoration (in the form of a carved sculpture, a relief plate, etc.) are undoubtedly not of local, but of Chinese origin, where pendant charms were made already in the 3rd century BC. era. During the Ming period (1368-1644), the Chinese called such objects zhuizi (坠子 zhuizi) or pei-chui (pei-chui) - products similar to netsuke both in function and design. By this time, there had long been strong traditions of borrowing various elements of spiritual and material culture of China, including clothing. The name of the key rings also point to China.

Netsuke is not their only designation in Japan. Sometimes there are also such as kensui, haisui and haishi. But it was these names - in Chinese, respectively: xuan-chui, pei-chui and pei-tzu - were used in China on a par with the most common term zhui-tzu.

Some early netsuke were called karamono (唐物, "Chinese thing") and tōbori (唐彫り, "Chinese carving"). The connection of netsuke with their Chinese prototype is obvious. But the role of pei tzu in the history of netsuke should not be exaggerated: very soon in Japan, on the basis of zhui tzu, original netsuke forms and carving techniques were developed, new plots were introduced and old ones were rethought. In Japan, netsuke developed into an independent and highly developed art, which did not happen with the Chinese Chui Tzu.





Before the 17th century, there is no information about the use of netsuke. Things that you had to have with you were worn differently

In the history of Japanese costume, there were several ways to attach things to the belt. The most ancient item that was worn with a device similar to netsuke is the hiuchi-bukuro (火打ち袋) - pouch for flint and flint, which was attached to the hilt of the sword. The custom was enduring

In the painting of the Heian period (平安時代, 794-1185), images of hiuchi-bukuro are often found (for example, in the icon of the deity Kongobu Ji of the Koya-san monastery). The flint and flint pouch can also be seen on the Nagataka Tosa (late 13th century) "Picturesque Narrative of the Mongol Invasion" scroll of a man reporting the appearance of an enemy fleet.

During the Kamakura (鎌倉時代, 1185-1333) and Muromachi (室町時代, 1335-1573) periods, the hiuchi-bukuro began to be used as a purse, portable first aid kit, and so on, but was worn the same as before.





In parallel with this, other devices were also common. First of all, these are obi-hasami (帯鉗), which, as stated in the 1821-1841 essay "Conversations in the Night of the Rat", were the predecessors of netsuke. Obi-hasami - figuratively framed hook; its upper bend is hooked to the belt, and various objects were tied to the ledge below

Similar things came from the Ming time in China. The obi-hasami form did not take root, because this method was unsafe: with a quick movement, bending the body, it was easy to prick with a long and sharp hook.

Another form that preceded and partly co-existed with netsuke is the obiguruwa, a waist ring to which purses, keys, and the like were attached. It is possible that this type of attachment came to Japan from Mongolia through China.

In Japan, the first netsuke appear in the second half of the 16th and early 17th centuries.

It is possible that specific events played their role here: campaigns in Korea by the military ruler Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊臣秀吉) in 1592 and 1597. This date of the appearance of netsuke is confirmed by the images of costumes in the paintings of that time and information from literary sources. In the painting of the screen of the late 16th century "Dressage of horses" one of the riders is depicted with an inro hanging from his belt. The folds of the garment hide the item it is attached to, but judging by the position of the inro, it is a netsuke. There is a description of the hunt by Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康), which, among other details of Ieyasu's costume, also mentions netsuke in the form of gourds. This is the earliest evidence of counterweight trinkets being worn in Japan.

The 17th century is the prehistory of netsuke, which is known only from indirect data. The works that have survived to this day were created no earlier than the first half of the 18th century. By this time, the formation of the artistic language of miniature Japanese sculpture had already been completed, and the period from the middle of the 18th century to the middle of the 19th century can be considered the "golden age" of netsuke.

The history of netsuke basically does not go beyond the Tokugawa period (徳川時代, 1603-1868) - the heyday of the art of the townspeople: merchants and artisans. The conditions of their existence, the social atmosphere in general, had a noticeable impact on the evolution of miniature sculpture. So, for example, in the field of domestic policy, the military government of Japan bakufu (将軍) adopted a policy of maintaining the groove of the established structure of society.

"Laws against luxury" were repeatedly issued, the purpose of which was a strict distinction between the "noble" and "mean" classes, including in lifestyle and clothing. Everything was subject to regulation: from the number of floors in the house to the quality of fabric for dresses and the cost of toys or sweets. Punishments for violating the prohibitions ranged from a fine to expulsion from the city.

However, if these prohibitions were not violated directly, then, as a rule, they skillfully managed. However, there were not so many opportunities for the townspeople to decorate the costume, and therefore none of them should have been missed. Netsuke was the detail with which one could demonstrate one's own taste, and one's attitude to the next fashion, and, to some extent, well-being. It was in the applied arts that the aesthetic demands of the townspeople were most fully satisfied, which stimulated the emergence of virtuoso netsukeshi (根付師) - netsuke carvers. Therefore, the change in the form, material, and artistic interpretation of netsuke clearly indicates a change in the artistic tastes and passions of people in the late 18th and 19th centuries.













In the 17th and 18th centuries, entire schools of carvers arose, differing in style and favorite topics. For example, the Hida or Nara schools were characterized by figures made in the ottobori style - with the help of one knife, without careful study of small details.

The largest carving schools are located in Edo, Ōsaka and Kyōto. In the provinces, sometimes original movements arise, the founder of which was often one talented master. As an example, we can point to Shiyoda Tomiharu, who lived and worked in the middle of the 18th century in the province of Iwami (石見国) of the island of Honshū (本州). Big names emerge among netsukushi such as Shūzan Yoshimura (周山吉村) from Ōsaka, Tomotada (友忠) and Masanao (正直) from Kyōto

However, with rare exceptions, little is known about the lives and biographies of most carvers. The collection Sōken Kishō (装劍奇賞) has been of great help to researchers involved in the history of netsuke. It was published in 1781 by the Ōsaka resident and sword merchant Inaba Tsuryu (稲葉通龍). The collection contains a list of fifty-three names of the largest netsukushi of the time, accompanied by illustrations of their work.





A large part of late 19th century netsuke and all 20th century netsuke were made for export. They are still being made today. For the most part, these are rather low-grade souvenir products produced on a conveyor basis. But the art of netsuke has not disappeared.

And today there are masters whose specialty is netsuke carving. Some works of such masters are valued very highly (from US$10,000 to $100,000 and more). Prices for collectible netsuke at auctions in the US usually range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars (inexpensive stamped but accurate reproductions are sold in museum stores for up to $30).

However, the nature of the development of this art has changed. First, the practical need for the netsuke disappeared: the Japanese wear the European suit, since the kimono was replaced by European clothing in the 1920s. Secondly, the attitude of the carvers themselves to the netsuke they create has changed: now they are considered as completely independent works, isolated from the customer, and from fashion, and often from the tradition of a particular school. The works of modern masters can be divided into two groups: netsuke, made in the spirit of modern easel sculpture, and traditional netsuke.











The word netsuke consists of two characters. Ne (根) means - root, and the verb tsukeru (付ける) - attach, attach, attach, attach; or tsuku (付く) to be attached to something.

Typology (types) netsuke:
. katabori (形彫) is the most famous type of netsuke, a compact carved sculpture that can depict people, animals, and multi-figure groups. Characteristic of the mature period in the history of netsuke (late 18th - early 19th century);
. anabori (穴彫) - a subspecies of katabori, the plots of which are created inside a carved cavity; the most common are scenes inside a bivalve shell;
. sashi (差) is one of the oldest forms of netsuke. It is a long bar (of various materials, but most often of wood) with a hole for the cord at one end. The way sashi is consumed is different from all other forms. If katabori, manju and others were used as a counterweight, then sashi was plugged into the belt in such a way that the hole was at the bottom, and a wallet, keys and the like hung on a cord passed through it. Sometimes a hook was additionally cut out at the upper end, which caught on the upper edge of the belt. Usually sashi is considered a form of netsuke, but according to some researchers, it is a modification of the sword handle, from which a bag of flint and flint was hung. Another close analogy to sashi is the obi-hasami device, invented in China. In principle, it is similar to sashi, it has a hook on top, but instead of a hole, obi-hasami has a small round thickening at the bottom, for which a wearable item was tied. The first netsuke-sashi have survived to this day in very small numbers. In addition, the first netsuke-sashi are difficult to distinguish from obi-hasami. Later, during the development of the art of netsuke, the form sashi was probably perceived as archaic and not often used.
. mask (面 men) - the largest category after katabori, often a smaller copy of the mask of the Nō theater (能), similar in properties to katabori and manju (kagamibuta);
. itaraku - netsuke in the form of a gourd, a box, or other objects woven from wire, bamboo, or reeds;
. manju (饅頭) - netsuke in the form of a thick disk, most often made of ivory. Sometimes it is made of two halves. The image is given by engraving, which is usually accompanied by blackening. It got its name from its resemblance to a round, flat manju rice cake. One of the peculiar varieties of manju is compositions made up of several miniature theatrical masks;
. ryusa (柳左) is a variant of the manju form. The main difference between this form and the usual manju is that it is empty inside, and one (upper) part is made using the through carving technique. When ryusa was made from two split halves, the material was usually removed from the middle using a lathe. This form was especially used in Edo, where the famous carver Ryusa lived (active in the 1780s), after whom it is named. It is believed that this form, like manju, became especially popular in connection with the earthquakes of the Ansei period (安政, 1854-1860), and especially with the Edo earthquake of 1855, when many netsuke were destroyed and new products were needed. The ease of making ryusa compared to, for example, katabori or kagamibuta influenced their predominant distribution at this time.
. kagamibuta (鏡蓋) is also similar to manju, but is a flat vessel made of ivory or other bone, horn, rarely wood, covered with a metal lid on top, on which the main part of the decoration based on a wide range of techniques is concentrated. These netsuke are usually signed by the metalsmith.

These forms, of course, do not exhaust the entire variety of netsuke. There were so-called "curious" netsuke - for example, made from the triggers of Dutch guns, carvings adapted to be worn as a belt key ring, such as dolls, as well as key rings that have additional practical value: in the form of accounts - soroban, compass, flint and flint, ashtray and so on. However, these things appear in the general mass only occasionally, they are an exception to the general rule.

Netsuke materials are varied:
. tree;
. Ivory;
. walrus bone;
. antler;
. buffalo horns;
. rhinoceros horn;
. narwhal horns;
. boar fangs;
. fangs of a bear;
. fangs of a wolf;
. fangs of a tiger;
. bones of various animals.

Used, albeit much less frequently:
. varnish;
. metals;
. porcelain;
. bamboo;
. different types coral;
. different types of amber;
. tortoiseshell;
. glass;
. agate;
. nephritis;
. flint;
. petrified tree.

For wearing could adapt:
. gourds
. shells
. or objects that originally had a different purpose, for example, the details of the frame of edged weapons.

However, netsuke made from materials such as lacquer, ceramics, and porcelain are arts and crafts products with their own traditions and techniques. The development of netsuke as an independent art, the formation of its artistic language, is associated with two materials: wood and ivory.

Ivory in the history of Japanese art is a rather "young" material. Before the Tokugawa period, it was known only from Chinese products. In the form of tusks, it began to be imported to Japan from Vietnam through China. Combs for women's hairstyles and other jewelry were made from this material, but first of all - plectrums for shamisen (三味線). Ivory cuts, which were usually triangular in shape, went to the mass production of netsuke, which left its mark on the shape of such products. The craftsmen, who worked on private orders and cared more about their professional reputation than about their earnings, avoided such material.

Wood is the traditional material of Japanese sculpture. Various species were used, but the Japanese cypress (檜 or 桧 hinoki) was the most common.

Much of the early period netsuke is made of cypress. It is soft and comfortable for carving, but has a significant drawback: over time, the products become covered with cracks. The requirements for netsuke are best met by Japanese boxwood (tsuge), a hard material that has long been used for seals. In addition to hinoki, Korean pine (chosen-matsu) was used, which is light and soft, with a reddish-yellow hue. Netsuke was also cut from persimon, a wood with a yellowish color and a black core, which was sometimes taken as an independent material.

Among heavy and hard woods, except for boxwood, prunus (isu) was used to make netsuke, the wood of which has a dark brown or reddish tint. There are netsuke made from pale pink cherry (桜 sakura), as well as from ebony, which was brought from India.

Other types of wood were used much less often - such as:
. yew;
. tea bush;
. camphor;
. iron tree;
. camellia;
. juzhub;
. pine;
. sandalwood;
. Walnut;
. betel nut (vegetable ivory);
. palm nut (during the Meiji period (明治時代, 1868-1912), it was brought from South America).

The predominant use of one or another material is explained, first of all, by purely practical reasons: suitability, strength, availability and sufficient quantity.



In most cases, the material (and not just the plot) had symbolic overtones.

So, boxwood, being an evergreen tree, was considered a symbol of longevity, and its wood was highly valued as a material for amulets, amulets and other ritual objects. Ivory also had auspicious symbolism, and besides, it was a remedy. In China, from where ivory products first came to Japan, and later tusks, ivory powder or shavings were used in medicine. For example, in order to remove a splinter, poultices of powdered ivory and water were used. It was believed that ivory trimmings boiled in water acted as a laxative, but if they were previously burned, the effect of the drug would be reversed. In addition, ivory was recommended for epilepsy, osteomyelitis and smallpox. Thus, the Chinese ivory zhui tzu was a kind of portable first-aid kit with medicines for all occasions.

That such a perception of ivory existed in Japan is evidenced by some netsuke, in which the reverse, invisible side was left unfinished so that some ivory could be scraped off for preparation of medicine without damaging the images. This way of using netsuke was undoubtedly borrowed from China, where ivory zhui tzu was used for the same purpose.

It is easy to imagine that even in those cases when ivory was not intended for treatment, the understanding of the healing function of the material remained unchanged, and therefore its symbolism, like the symbolism of boxwood, is associated with the wish for longevity.

Deer antler powder was also considered a medicine, to which they attributed magical properties: return of youth and strength. Accordingly, we can conclude that netsuke made from deer antler, due to the material, contained a shade of wishes for health and longevity.

Benevolent and healing symbols also had netsuke made from sakura cherry, birch, prunus, jujube and some other materials.

More than any other, the art of netsuke reflected the nature of the society that gave birth to it. Reasons include long periods of isolation due to geographic and political reasons, as well as restrictions on people's ways of expressing themselves due to customs and laws. As a result, netsuke show all aspects of life of their time, including rich folklore, religion, crafts, trades and professions, various types of people and creatures, real and fictional. The following stories can be distinguished:
. people: famous and unknown, real, historical, and fictional, children, warriors, priests, and so on;
. animals: signs Eastern horoscope and others;
. plants and plant products; small ones, such as beans and walnuts, were often carved to life size;
. deities and mythical creatures, often from Chinese myths and religion, netsuke depicting one of the seven gods of luck, which, according to Shinto (神道 shintō), bring good luck;
. items are the rarest category. Coins, tools, roof tiles and the like;
.abstract: mon symbols, patterns;
.sexual (春画 shunga): can depict a man and a woman copulating, or only hint in a sophisticated symbolic form of erotic content.

Some netsuke portray simple objects, others are whole scenes known from history, mythology or literature.