Softback.Yellow and black cover with images of netsuke.

• F.B.A. provides an in-depth photographic presentation of this item to stimulate your feeling and touch. More traditional book descriptions are immediately available

Intricately carved from various materials including ivory, wood and metal, these tiny sculptures served a practical purpose in Japan: a netsuke was used as a toggle to fasten personal accessories to a man’s sash, an integral part of Japanese costume. Worn from the late sixteenth century to the nineteenth century, netsuke were rarely of artistic interest, but as time passed they evolved in terms of both materials and workmanship, and were then used by men to flaunt their wealth or as an expression of status.Today netsuke are considered an art form in their own right and are prized by collectors around the world. They continue to be carved and are found in a variety of forms that depict a wide range of subjects – including figures of human and legendary form, ghosts, animals, botanical subjects and masks. Skillfully worked, these miniatures carving are of great artistic value, but they also provide a window into Japanese culture and society of the Edo period (1615-1868)This book brings together one hundred of the most beautiful and interesting netsuke from the extensive collection of the British Museum, each of which has its own special charm and story to tell. Uncovering the stories behind these netsuke, and coupling them with stunning new photography, the book reveals why these tiny objects have captivated so many, the meaning they have held for those who wore them, and what they can tell us about Japanese everyday life during the Edo period.

Review: Netsuke are charming little figures originally created to secure tiny purses to kimono sashes. I found this to be the perfect introduction to traditional netsuke. The examples used are very high quality and in excellent condition and they are well photographed. The author does an excellent job in describing the pieces, the materials and techniques used in their production, and the cultural references and meanings of the netsuke. The text was just the right length — just enough to illuminate the art and make me curious to learn more about netsuke and Japanese culture. And it was very well written. I also liked the compact format of the book. All in all, just what you’d expect from the British Museum: a lovely, delightful and accessible book.