Author: Anita Satin Choudhary

Netsuke was the functional pieces of art worn with the original Japanese Kimono. One of the most commonly known Netsuke styles is the Katabori-Netsuke. The Sashi-Netsuke or also known as the “Stab” Netsuke, averages around 6 inches long in length and literally resembles a stick like artistic formation. The Men-Netsuke, but also known as the “Mask Netsuke” is definitely the largest in size and dimensional being. The Flat-lidded Netsuke, or the Kagami-buta Netsuke is a flattened rounded, and hollowed out piece of artistic works, that ran the average size of the palm of a hand.

The artistic works of Netsuke can be placed at its height of necessity during the Edo time period of 1603 – 1867. Netsuke was the functional pieces of art worn with the original Japanese Kimono. It was specifically the fastening toggle of the bag or sash placed around the waste of the Japanese for carrying any needed or desired objects, as we would carry in our purses or clothing pockets nowadays. But since the traditional clothing of the Japanese had no pockets, the functional formations of Netsuke was a small piece of artistic works of need, along with the beauty and wide variations of expressions pertaining to everyday life and on into areas, that were somewhat culturally taboo topics of open conversation during that time period.

There had always been numerous types of materials that the traditional Netsuke carvings were created from. Some of the known materials have been, and still are various kinds of ivories and hard woods. The sizes of Netsuke was traditionally smaller in sizes, due to being physically worn, instead of being collected and displayed the way contemporary Netsuke has overtime come to be known. Since there has always been a tradition of beautiful, expressive and even story telling formations, the Netsuke of the past moved from a functional place of daily life to a worldly collector’s delight.

Due to the many variations of sizes, shapes and formations , there are many different tools that are specifically used for its carving. One of the most commonly known Netsuke styles is the Katabori-Netsuke. The more familiar name is the “Sculpture Netsuke”, and the average size is only 1 inch to 3 inches in height. The Sashi-Netsuke or also known as the “Stab” Netsuke, averages around 6 inches long in length and literally resembles a stick like artistic formation. The Men-Netsuke, but also known as the “Mask Netsuke” is definitely the largest in size and dimensional being. These will be approximately the dimensions and size of a full humanistic face. The Manju-Netsuke is one of thickest, and in the rounded, flat formation, usually has a slight size variation of only the size comparable to a Japanese confection. The Flat-lidded Netsuke, or the Kagami-buta Netsuke is a flattened rounded, and hollowed out piece of artistic works, that ran the average size of the palm of a hand.

There are several different categories of Netsuke artworks, totaling seven basis formations, and more of them than not, these beautifully exquisite pieces run smaller than the average hand size, but are packed with detailed expressions. It takes many different sizes and shapes of tools for the real Netsuke carvers to work the various materials to create such unique, but yet, story telling works of art.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/types-and-sizes-of-japanese-netsuke-412577.html

About the Author:
Anita Satin Choudhary writes for Ivory and Art Gallery. Browse the gallery for unique collection of artifacts ranging from Netsuke to Porcelain and Silver Judaica.

Author: art morse

As even a casual observer will tell you, there is a great deal of variety when you consider the art that comes out of Asia. The history of countries like Japan and China go back literally thousands of years, and by taking a look at what these lands have to offer in the way of gorgeous antiques is just one more way to appreciate true artistic ability, craftsmanship and history.

Chinese art, for example, is divided into periods relating to the dynasty that ruled the country. Chinese art can range from simple yet exquisitely glazed ceramic bowls to the popular and incredibly beautiful jade figurines. The Shang dynasty, for intance, was known for its blue casting, while China as a whole maintained a long tradition of beautiful porcelain. The arrival of Buddhism to China around 100 AD led to a great deal of religiously themed art as well.

Japanese art, on the other hand, has a reputation for being simpler than Chinese art, although this has not always been the case. The Japanese aesthetic is one that has changed over the years and today, many people associate it with grace, elegance, and a very spare, spartan beauty. One of the areas that Japanese art is best known for, though, is in textiles, particularly with regards to their kimonos. These robes are often one of a kind and when made by a real master, often have their own names and infrequently worn and more often displayed.

When you are looking for Chinese or Japanese statues to grace your home, you’ll find that there are many choose from, and that you’ll have a choice of many different materials. Both countries have elevated ceramic and porcelain into a fine art form, and you can still find carved figurine statues of jade, wood and stone. You can find plenty of statues of the Buddha, of the Eight Immortals, and of the Japanese folk hero Momotaro, or you can find statues of more homely things, like cats, dogs or children.

Upon examination, Chinese art and Japanese art both abounds with dragons. In Asia, these powerful, serpentine beasts were more associated with good than they are with evil, and more connected with water than with fire. Large bodies of water were thought to have dragons slumbering under them, and buildings are often not built more than a certain height to make sure that dragons that live in the mountains can see the ocean. You’ll find both Chinese and Japanese art loves to depict these creatures, who were often symbols of imperial rule.

Take some time to take a look at the elegance and beauty that can grace your home through the display of Asian antiques, and you’ll find that you have excellent reasons to make sure that you see what these pieces of art can bring to your environment!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/antiques-articles/the-beauty-of-asian-antiques-423252.html

About the Author:

Art Morse

Fantasy asian Antiques | chinese | japanese
http://www.fantasygem.jewelsbyart.com/Store/Kwan-yin” />
Kwan-yin statues

Author: Mike Zamora

In Asian décor in the east and west an item called a Japanese Shoji Screen is used as either a room divider or a form of decoration. A Japanese Shoji Screen is a room divider or door that is made up of rice paper fitted to a wooden frame and are made to be light so as it is easy to move them. These screens can be considered works of art because, as with all Japanese art, these screens were built from the earth’s natural beauty. A Shoji screen was used as doors, room dividers, and as privacy screens. Folding screens, like the Shoji Screen, was first introduced by China around the 8th century A.D. China might have invented folding screens but it was Japan who came up with the most popular variations of these screens and introduced them to western countries.

Japanese Shoji screens come in different sizes and each size may serve a different purpose. The use of the screen determined how many folds the screen had. The following list is some of the different sizes of Shoji Screens and what they were traditionally used for:

• Small, two-fold, Shoji screens: these screens were used for things like tea ceremonies.

• Large, eight-fold, Shoji Screens: These screens may have been used as the back drops during dances.

• Sliding Shoji Screens of all sizes were used for doors and/or windows, so as to conserve space and keep with the simplistic designs.

• All sizes and forms of Shoji Screens were used as room dividers, privacy screens, to separate interior and exterior rooms, and even used so as to see the silhouettes of a garden or plants.

• . These screens were even used during Buddhist ceremonies.

Traditional Japanese Shoji Screens may have had artwork on them, symbolizing the many Asian and/or Japanese traditions, legends, and the history. This artwork was concentrated at the bottom of the screens because it was customary that people would sit on the floor, so, naturally the artwork was at eyelevel. The art was usually hand painted, and detailed, but still minimal in design, because, all of Japanese art revolves around being simple, natural, and calming

Around the 19th century, the western world began to take notice of the Japanese Shoji Screens, thus began the modernization of the screen. As the demand of Shoji Screens grew more people, who were not as skilled in creating screens, started making them in Japan. The Shoji Screens were still elegant and still had the Japanese design, but were becoming more like Chinese screens. Newer materials and more ornate colors are now used to make these screens because the western world is more relaxed when it comes to the decoration of ones home. Japanese Shoji screens are still used as room dividers, but, they are also used to decorate spaces, to hide things, and maybe be used as window covers. The modern form of Shoji Screens are still very light as to allow them to be moved whenever needed.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/japanese-shoji-screens-246989.html

About the Author:

Mike Zamora writes articles about room dividers and privacy screen. Other information and articles published by the writer on the topic of shoji screens can be obtained on the web.

Author: Adam Peters

The history of Japanese art through the ages. How Japanese art was influenced by Chinese and western influences over time.

Japanese art would not be Japanese art without its incredibly beautiful paintings. Japanese paintings took their inspiration from the Chinese style of painting of the fourteenth through sixteenth centuries. This is called the Muromachi period during which the Chinese were trading extensively with Japan, and introducing its art to this island nation. The intricate and exquisite style of the Chinese paintings of this time were very well received by Japanese noblemen, who vied with one another to create beautiful homes full of art and culture. Once this style of painting was firmly established among the nobility, the Japanese themselves started to emulate this style and soon Japanese masterpieces in this same still were being created.

The special qualities of the painters in Japan who followed the Muromachi style was the sense of space that was created, and the the telling of a story. Later, during the period known as the Momoyama, which occurred between 1573 and 1603, the now traditional landscape painting of Japan was developed. These beautiful landscape paintings were created on big screens, so all of the vastness of nature could be seen. It was only during the Edo period form 1603 to 1867 that the now familiar style of adding gold leaf and a mosaic look to the paintings was added. This clearly reflected the western influence that was now being introduced to the orient. Still, a traditional form of art called Ukiyo-e was developed at the same time that seemed almost a throwback to ancient art forms, since it used woodblock to create works of art.

The next important period of Japanese are is considered the Meiji period. During the years from 1868 to 1912, the western influence became more pronounced. Different schools of painting popped up, each with its own unique style. For example, the Suibokuga school used only black ink for their paintings, a reflection of Chinese influence and also very strongly influenced by Zen.

Originally, there was a protest against the Chinese methods of painting using black ink. The Kano school of painting, founded by Kano Masanobu and his son Kano Motonobu was actually a protest against this Chinese influence. As as stark contrast, Kano paintings use bright colors and unusual compositions when compared to the simplistic dark Suibokuga style. The Kano school is said to be the influence for the Ukiyo-e school of design. Another prominent style is the nanga style, popular during the eras called Bunka and Bunsai.

The deft use of space and the simple beauty have long attracted people to Japanese paintings. There is no one medium that a Japanese painter feels compelled to use and they also choose a wide range of subjects such as buildings, landscapes and women.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/how-to-incorporate-japanese-design-in-your-home-230306.html

About the Author:
Adam Peters is the journalist of consumer websites, who has written more articles on japanese interior design for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com . You can find more information and resources on japanese themed decor at

Kutani Sake Cup Reveals A Fine Blend of Artistry and Artisanship

Beautiful Kutani Japanese sake cup (guinomi in Japanese). Kutani-ware has been produced in Japan for over 300 years within remote villages of the ‘nine valleys’ (Kutani means nine valleys) region of Kaga province in Japan’s Ishikawa prefecture (please see map below). Noted for it’s fine brush work and delicate porcelain, Kutani kilns have produced some of Japan’s finest ceramic art through generations of refined production. Though the actual origins of Kutani-ware are uncertain, we know that the kilns of the nine valleys were long supported through the patronage of the powerful Maeda clan who were the hereditary rulers of the region.

About the Featured Item

This splendid Kutani porcelain sake cup features the hand-painted image a woman seated with two men. This sake cup was made during the mid to late Japanese Showa period (1926-1989) and is in poor to fair condition with a large chip at the lip as well as some hairline cracks. There are also some marks, stains and blemishes from handling and age. The cup was acquired in the beautiful and historic city of Shizuoka, Japan near the foot of Mt. Fuji. Click here to see additional high-quality Kutani ceramic items available for purchase from our eBay store The Old Tokaido or click here to see more sake cups!

History
Sake has long been an important part of Japanese culture. In the past, sake was considered a very special item, reserved for only the most important occasions, such as weddings, birth celebrations and other auspicious events. Sake was considered a sacred drink, and accordingly the first glass poured was always offered to the gods before the remainder could be shared among the celebrants. Sake can be served either warm or cold and special sake flasks are used to both prepare and dispense this unique Japanese drink. Sake is warmed either by immersing the flask (already filled with sake of course) into warm water until the desired temperature is reached or through the use of a special sake kettle called a choshi. The latter method however, though common in old Japan, is today usually reserved for ceremonial events only. Over time, sake utensils, such as cups have developed their own ritual significance which is still evident in modern Japan. For example, it is today common at Japanese engagement parties for the man and woman to exchange sake cups as a sign of their mutual intent to marry. Very beautiful sake cups are also given away to celebrate the birth of a child, as these cherished items are considered symbolic of the significance of the new parent-child relationship. Though normally small in size, sake cups and flasks have long been used in Japan as a medium for the expression of art and calligraphy. Hand-painted cups and flasks are highly collectable both within and outside Japan and are eagerly sought after by collectors who value their utilitarian nature and artistic splendor.

Size:
Height: 0.9 inches (2.2 centimeters)
Diameter: 2.2 inches (5.7 centimeters)
Weight: 0.9 ounces (27 grams)

See Additional Sakeware!
See Other Fine-quality Japanese Ceramics!
See More Treasures from Japan!

The Video and Article Provided By: softypapa who maintains The-Old-Tokaido store