The history of Netsuke starts over 300 years ago in Japan. Since the traditional Japanese clothes did not have any pockets for carrying personal items of pipes, tobacco, seals, medicines, and money, the Japanese invented the small woven carrying cases or pouches. The Netsuke piece its self is a tiny sculpture of some sorts, but has two holes of two different sizes that the cord runs through and holds the pouch or case securely closed. The Netsuke would be thumb size miniature sculptures that referred to the many things of humans, nature and culturally related to the Japanese.

Some very popular netsuke sculpting is of beautiful women and animals. For a variety of innovative designed netsuke , it is best to search online.

Just as anything else out there that has uniqueness, class and a fascinating history, Netsuke also has the 'real antique' collectibles effect on many collectors. Real Netsuke is out there to purchase and then there are the massless productions or cheap versions trying to be passed as the real thing. Japanese Netsuke is a culturally historical part of Japanese history that originated out of necessity at first, but to later on become very popular and even move on through the mainstream. Netsuke is still very highly desired today by various types of collectors from all over the world.

The history of Netsuke starts over 300 years ago in Japan. Since the traditional Japanese clothes did not have any pockets for carrying personal items of pipes, tobacco, seals, medicines, and money, the Japanese invented the small woven carrying cases or pouches. These cases or pouches were tied around their wastes of clothing. To keep the pouches or carrying cases closed, the toggle to hold the fastening cord together was invented. The Netsuke piece its self is a tiny sculpture of some sorts, but has two holes of two different sizes that the cord runs through and holds the pouch or case securely closed. Although the cord runs through the wholes for a specific function, the hole sizes are different because the larger whole is for tucking in and hiding the extra unused portion of the string that is left over when the string and pouch is cinched closed.

The Netsuke its self can be made from many various natural materials like ivory, wood, various animal teeth, boar tusk, rhinoceros horn, animal bones, black coral, shell and several other hard materials of the earth. The Netsuke would be thumb size miniature sculptures that referred to the many things of humans, nature and culturally related to the Japanese.

These Netsuke sculptures included different designs of animals, human forms, deities, mythical creatures, everyday life events, various masks, nature related and even individual creativity was allowed for the artist to even express their thoughts of imaginativeness images. There may also be exotic content from subtle to more sexually graphic positions. Some very popular netsuke sculpting is of beautiful women and animals. Usually the designs depended on the artist's imagination and craft.

Even in modern times, the designs and carvings are done by the demand of the customers. For a variety of innovative designed netsuke , it is best to search online.