IVOOD, IVORY, AND BONE CARVING, ETC. 419 



then the stone is given a coating of India-ink and washed over with 

 R6, or vegetable tallow. When using India ink, a few drops of 

 water are poured into the hollow before mentioned, the stick is 

 just dipped in, and the water is brought by it to the upper part 

 of the dish, the process being repeated again and again till the 

 greatest part of the water is brought up. Then comes the rubbing 

 off of the ink, which gradually runs back again into the hollowed 

 place. 



6. Wood, Ivory, and Bone Carving. Tortoise-shell, 

 Horn, and Mother-of-Pearl Work. Polishing of 

 Stones. 



Many of the productions of Japanese art industry enumerated 

 here, belong to the very wide classification of petty wares and 

 jewelry, while others are works of genuine glyptic art. The 

 skilful hands of the Japanese artist enable him to impart to even 

 a hard, brittle substance, wonderful life and action. But even here 

 this art is seen and practised, not so much in great monumental 

 creations, as in little petty forms, which must be closely observed 

 before their character and artistic worth can be really known and 

 appreciated. Of such a character, more than all others, are the 

 so-called Netsukes, generally carvings of wood, ivory, or bone, 

 which seldom surpass 2 to 5 centimeters in height, and twice this 

 size in circumference. The Netsuke are used as a sort of button, 

 especially for hanging the tobacco pouch to the girdle. When 

 used for this purpose they have holes bored through on the under 

 side, through which a cord usually connecting them passes, with the 

 hanging pocket. The Netsuke is pushed through between the 

 clothing and the girdle which confines it at the waist, and shows 

 above the girdle, the pocket hanging from it. 



Men and animals, especially monkeys, rats, and mice, either 

 singly or in groups, and in various positions, as well as other 

 creatures, and flowers, are copied in the Netsukes. The comic 

 element is largely represented. It is brought out in such con- 

 densed and expressive manner, that the artist's meaning is grasped 

 at once, and its humorous effect is not lost. The artistic con- 

 ception of these Netsukes is as much admired as the ease and 

 life of the expression and position, the care and skill of execution 

 which is able so happily to overcome technical difficulties. *' Who- 

 ever wishes to study Japanese art, must not fail to devote par- 

 ticular attention to these Netsukes." ^ 



It is no wonder, then, that Netsukes, especially those of ivory, are 

 the most sought for and the dearest in price of all the petty wares 

 of the Japanese curiosity dealers, and that those European collectors 



^ Carl Senft, in Official Report of the Vienna Exhibition. Group 10, Petty 

 Wares. 



