Koryuen

Publications

This section lists publications on netsuke and other related objects, and how to purchase them. Please take this opportunity to obtain a copy yourself! (Please note that prices are subject to change.)

| Featured Publications | Catalogs | Books | Journals and Magazines | CD-ROMs |



NEWS

"Koryuen Discount @ Paragon" is a 10% discount service offered by the website of Paragon Book Gallery of Chicago for Koryuen visitors, and it applies to your purchase of all kinds of publications available through Paragon's Website (except for sale items, subscriptions, and shipping cost)!!

When checking out, please type in KORYUEN2008 in the Promotion Code box, and use Secure Order rather than Print & Fax function on their Website.



Featured Publications



Book

Image Tsunobori Meijin, Akabaori no Kokusai: Ozaki Koyo no Chichi no Shogai [Master Carver of Stag Angler, Red-robe Kokusai: The Life of Ozaki Koyo's Father]

Written by Shimatani Yoichi
Published by Ribun Shuppan on October 1, 2019
Text and captions in Japanese


On the basis of his profound research for many years, the author Mr. Shimatani explores various aspects of the mysterious life and personality of Kokusai, who was a renowned carver of netsuke and other items and also the father of Ozaki Koyo, a famous novelist of the Meiji period.

Price: 1800 yen + consumption tax


Cover, Shimatani Yoichi (c) 2019

Posted on October 14, 2019



Book

Image Animals in Netsuke Art

Written by Yoshida Yukari, edited by SAGEMONOYA
Published by Mitsumura Suiko Shoin on June 28, 2019
Text and captions in Japanese and English


This book illustrates a large number of various animal netsuke including insects and sea creatures with descriptions by Ms. Yoshida Yukari, who is knowledgeable on netsuke subjects.

Price: 2400 yen + consumption tax


Cover, Yoshida Yukari (c) 2019

Posted on September 20, 2019



CD-ROM Catalog now also on the Internet

Image The Cohen Collection

Described by Neil K. Davey and Robert Hall

Published in 2000 by Actuality PhotoDigital
All text and captions in English

Color catalog of the Cohen collection featuring Japanese and Chinese antiques. The catalog contains (over 645 photographs) 57 netsuke, 62 inro & lacquer boxes and 3 ivory carvings, in addition to snuff bottles, pendants and jade & hardstone carvings. It also includes close-up photos of signatures.
ISBN 0 9539341 0 1 (This CD-ROM is for all PC Windows.)
Price: 60 pounds. Postage is 1.30 pounds within U.K., 4 pounds elsewhere. For more information, please visit the following URL:
http://www.jncohen.net/page5.htm

Now also available on the Internet together with 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George Cohen at www.jncohen.com for a one-off payment of just 25 Euros for unlimited use.

Catalog cover, Actuality PhotoDigital (c) 2000

Updated on January 3, 2019



Book

Image Ki de Horu Netsuke Nyumon [Introduction to Carving Wood Netsuke] (revised edition)

by Nakagawa Tadamine
Published by Japan Publications, Inc. (Nichibo Shuppansha) on December 14, 2018
Text and captions in Japanese


This is a revised edition of the textbook for carving wood netsuke, first published in 2009 by Tadamine (Nakagawa), an artist of Ise netsuke. Includes information on shops that sell tools, materials, and boxes for netsuke.

128 pages. Price: 3500 yen (excluding consumption tax) + postage. Website (Japanese only):
http://www.nichibou.co.jp


Cover, Tadamine Nakagawa (c) 2018

Posted on November 28, 2018, updated on November 29, 2018.



Book

Image Netsuke Chokoku no Susume [Encouragement of Netsuke Carving] (augmented revised edition)

by Saito Bishu
Published by Japan Publications, Inc. (Nichibo Shuppansha) in 2018
Text and captions in Japanese


Augmented with 16 color pages, this is a revised edition of the book published in 1984 by the netsuke artist Bishu (Saito). This book discusses the history and types of netsuke, advice on designs, and how to obtain tools and materials.

232 pages. Price: 4500 yen (excluding consumption tax) + postage. Website (Japanese only):
http://www.nichibou.co.jp


Cover, Bishu Saito (c) 2018

Posted on November 28, 2018, updated on November 29, 2018.



Book

Image Yoidore Kotoji, 18, ketteiban, Masamune Ikun [Yoidore Kotoji, vol. 18, complete edition, Masamune's Teaching]

by Saeki Yasuhide

Published by Bungei Shunju (Bunshun Bunko) on January 4, 2018
Text and captions in Japanese

The 18th volume of the author's historical fiction series. It is a story about the search of the owner of a gold netsuke found at a vacant unit of a row house. At the end of this book is an article on netsuke featuring Akira's works.

720 yen excluding tax. Available through Japanese bookstores.


Cover, Saeki Yasuhide (c) 2018

Posted on August 10, 2018



Catalog

Image Netsuke: Stylish Accessories, Crafts of Edo, Special Presentation of The Prince Takamado Netsuke Collection

Hiroshima Museum of Art

Published in January 2018
Text and captions in Japanese and English

This exhibition catalog features 77 superb works of antique netsuke, 16 of which are from TIH Prince and Princess Takamado collection and the rest are from the collections of Japan Netsuke Society members. All the pieces are illustrated in color and described in Japanese and English languages.

Koryuen's recommendation: I (Makiko) did the English translation with the assistance of Mr. Watanabe Masanori, the past president of JNS, and Mrs. Julia Hutt of Victoria & Albert Museum!

Further information will be posted soon.


Catalog cover, Hiroshima Museum of Art (c) 2018

Posted on January 26, 2018



Catalog

Netsuke & Sagemono: AJI, UMAMI or DAIGOMI?

Image
Published by Sagemonoya (Yabane Co., Ltd.) in May 2017
Text and Captions in English and Japanese. With Chinese and Russian captions
Full-color sale catalogue of 169 pieces in 80 pages, published for the 2017 International Netsuke Society's Cologne Convention. Includes 127 mostly antique netsuke, 10 inro, 12 sagemono, and some 20 pipe cases and other objects. Close-up pictures of most of the signatures.

Price: 70 US dollars including postage. For details, please contact Sagemonoya (Yabane Co., Ltd.) at the following address:

Address: Yotsuya 4-28-20-703 Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0004, Japan
Tel: 03-3352-6286
Fax: 03-3356-6581
Website:
http://www.netsuke.com


Cover, Sagemonoya (Yabane Co., Ltd.) (c) 2017

Posted on June 19, 2017



Catalog

Kokusai the Genius and Stag-antler Carving in Japan

Image
by Sydney L. Moss Ltd.

Published in 2016
Text and captions in English
This is a three-volume catalog featuring the eccentric genius of the Meiji carver Kokusai. Volume I comprises the essays and thematic notes from experts, covering Japanese carving of stag-antler between the 1700s until Kokusai's appearance in the mid-19th century. Volume II gathers together more than 250 works of art by Kokusai. Volume III conludes with groupings of works by Masayuki, Rensai and many others. The price is 750 pounds + shipping. If you order directly with Sydney L. Moss Ltd., the price would be 500 pounds (but due to the weight, Fedex to overseas costs high).

In addition, Sydney L. Moss Ltd. has published a number of catalogs of netsuke, inro and other types of lacquerware with beautiful illustrations and detailed English descriptions for many years. Further information is posted on their website. Those catalogs are also available if in stock, so please contact them for more info.

Sydney L. Moss Ltd.
Address: 12 Queen Street, Mayfair, London W1J 5PG, UK
Tel: +44-20-7629-4670
Fax: +44-20-7491-9278
E-mail:
pasi@slmoss.com
Website: http://www.slmoss.com/

Catalog cover, Sydney L. Moss Ltd. (c) 2016

Posted on May 21, 2017, updated on May 24, 2017



Book

Image Lectures at Osaka University of Arts (2016)

by H.I.H. Princess Hisako of Takamado

Published by Osaka University of Arts on April 23, 2017
Text and captions in Japanese

In the 2017 lecture series, Princess Takamado discusses and gives insights into a wide range of topics with many examples: the Japanese unique culture of netsuke and how it can be passed on to the next generation; the necessity of academic studies of netsuke; various approaches to netsuke from music, books, etc.; and suggestions to video the netsuke-carving techniques of artists. This will be the final publication of the lecture series.

5,000 yen excluding tax and postage. Available in Japan.


Cover, H.I.H. Princess Hisako of Takamado (c) 2016

Posted on May 14, 2017



Book

Image Through the Lens - Birds and Netsuke in the Four Seasons

Published by Chuokoron-Shinsha, Inc., on April 25, 2017
Photography and Text by H.I.H. Princess Hisako of Takamado


This book comprises of photographs that the Princess took of wild birds and netsuke with accompanying text written by herself. Her Highness shares with readers her love of birds and nature, as well as the exquisite art of netsuke.

Price: 2200 yen (excluding consumption tax). Available through bookstores.


Cover, H.I.H. Princess Hisako of Takamado (c) 2017

Posted on April 6, 2017



Catalog

Image Meet Netsuke! Storytellers of Japan

by Japan Information & Culture Center, Embassy of Japan in Washington DC

Published in March 15, 2017
Text and captions in English, partly also in Japanese

This is a catalog of the netsuke exhibition held at Japan Information & Culture Center, Embassy of Japan in Washington DC, as part of the 2017 National Cherry Blossom Festival. The catalog illustrates some 130 netsuke and inro drawn from the Garrett Collection housed in the Evergreen Museum in Baltimore and the Beverly and Jay Hopkins Collection. All proceeds will go to planting cherry blossom trees throughout the United States, especially in the greater Washington DC area, to promote the U.S.-Japan friendship.

Koryuen's recommendation: This catalog is assiduously written by the diplomats Ms. Yoko Tsuge and Mr. Takaaki Nemoto as organizers of the exhibition with the assistance of Ms. Helen von Gohren of the Embassy, with a passion to promote Japanese culture through netsuke!

35 dollars for one copy, 60 dollars for two copies (excluding postage). Available through The Japan-America Society of Washington DC:

The Society's website:
http://www.jaswdc.org
Exhibition and catalog page:
http://www.jaswdc.org/meet-netsuke-storytellers-of-japan/

Catalog cover, Japan Information & Culture Center, Embassy of Japan in Washington DC (c) 2017

Posted on April 4, 2017



Catalog

Image Netsuke

Published on January 14, 2017
Text and Captions in Japanese


This is a catalogue of the netsuke exhibition held at the Museum from January to March 2017. Mr. Muneaki Kinoshita, the collector of the exhibited pieces, wrote an article on his own collection, and the curator of the Museum Ms. Satoko Tomita wrote on the style of the works of five contemporary artists (Bishu, Ryoshu III, Akira, Kukan, and Motomasa).

Koryuen's recommendation: I (Makiko) contributed an introductory article on netsuke. It includes the history of contemporary netsuke from an insider point of view, discussing what the field of contemporary netsuke was like in the 1970s and 80s as well as how the field developed into the current state. (All the text in Japanese language.)

Available in Japan.

Cover, Mitaka City Gallery of Art (c) 2017

Posted on January 7, 2017. Updated on May 14, 2017.



Book

Image Asakusa, Shitamachi Shokunin Monogatari [Downtown Craftsmen of Asakusa]

by Tsuge Kyozaburo

Published by Soleil Co., Ltd. in November 24, 2016
Text and captions in Japanese

As president of a world-famous pipe maker, this Asakusa-born author tells interesting anecdotes on netsuke and smoking implements as well as fascinating experiences filled with the warmth of local people.

Available through Japanese bookstores.


Cover, Soleil Co., Ltd. (c) 2016

Posted on January 3, 2017



Book

Image Artisan in Osaka

Supervised by Osaka Museum of History

Published in May 2016
Text and captions in Japanese

Illustrated are some 170 works of artistic crafts such as metalwork, lifelike dolls, swords, made by top artisans in Osaka. Eight pages are spent on netsuke including a few works by Kaigyokusai.

Available through Amazon and other bookstores in Japan.


Cover, Seigensha Art Publishing, Inc. (c) 2016

Posted on September 4, 2016



Book

Image Lectures at Osaka University of Arts (2015)

by H.I.H. Princess Hisako of Takamado

Published by Osaka University of Arts on April 23, 2016
Text and captions in Japanese

As with the previous year, the 2015 lecture series is aimed to serve as "Stepping Stones for an International Perspective". This book has Her Highness' seven lectures: the first four were under the theme "Learning international society and Japanese culture through netsuke". The three other lectures feature Japanese culture that one encounters outside of Japan, and the presentations by ambassadors of various countries. Showing abundant illustrations, the princess shared her experiences in the world as well as interesting thoughts and anecdotes concerning netsuke to inspire the students to learn Japanese culture and broaden their horizons beyond their own country.

5,000 yen excluding tax and postage. Available in Japan.


Cover, H.I.H. Princess Hisako of Takamado (c) 2016

Posted on June 3, 2016



Catalogs

Oriental Corner: Catalog of Netsuke (three issues)
by Oriental Corner

Text and captions in English
Image
Three catalogs published by Oriental Corner, the Asian antique shop which used to be located in California, and carried many netsuke and inro. The director of the shop was Mrs. Marsha Vargas who later served as President of the International Netsuke Society.

Please contact Rare Oriental Book Company for prices and other information.

Incidentally, Rare Oriental Book Company has a large inventory of publications on Asian art. You can search on their website or ask them to send a PDF list of publications of your interested field, such as netsuke and inro.

Address: P.O. Box 1599, Aptos, CA 95001-1599, USA
Tel: +1-831-689-0203
E-mail:
jgs@rareorientalbooks.com
Website: http://www.rareorientalbooks.com
This item's page (you can view some sample pages):
http://www.rareorientalbooks.com/edition/910831/

Posted on May 13, 2016



Book

Image The Virginia Atchley Collection of Japanese Miniature Arts

by Virginia Atchley & Neil Davey

Published in 2006
Text and captions in English

This book introduces the fine collection of the American lady Mrs. Virginia Atchley who actively collected Japanese miniature arts for over 40 years and served as the editor-in-chief of the Journal and the president of the International Netsuke Society. Her collection encompasses netsuke, inro, pipe cases, and tobacco boxes, and in this book some 400 selected pieces are illustrated in color.

Originally priced at 150 US dollars, Rare Oriental Book Company offers the special price of 99 dollars (excluding postage). Please contact the company for order information.

Address: P.O. Box 1599, Aptos, CA 95001-1599, USA
Tel: +1-831-689-0203
E-mail:
jgs@rareorientalbooks.com
Website: http://www.rareorientalbooks.com
The book page (you can view some sample pages):
http://www.rareorientalbooks.com/edition/350230/

Catalog cover, Virginia Atchley & Neil Davey (c) 2006

Posted on May 13, 2016



Catalog

Image Makie and Netsuke: The Beauty of Japanese Lacquer and Netsuke

Office Miyashita, Ltd.

Published in October 2015
Japanese, Russian, and English languages

This catalogue of the exhibition "Makie and Netsuke" held in Ukraine features 15 works of netsuke and inro from Mr. Bolis Filatov's Collection, makie works from private collections, lacquer works of contemporary artists Mr. Wakamiya Takashi and Mr. Sugimura Akira. The curator of Victoria & Albert Museum Mrs. Julia Hutt contributes an article for the catalogue.

600 yen excluding postage. Please contact Office Miyashita, Ltd. for order information:

Address: 2-5-4 Takanawa, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0074
Tel: 03-3443-0877
Website:
http://miyashita-ltd.com


Catalog cover, Office Miyashita, Ltd. (c) 2015

Posted on May 8, 2016



Book

Image Lectures at Osaka University of Arts (2014)

by H.I.H. Princess Hisako of Takamado

Published by Osaka University of Arts on April 13, 2015
Text and captions in Japanese

As with the previous year, the 2014 lecture series is aimed to foster students' global perspective: Her Highness invited ambassadors from such countries as Paraguay and Azerbaijan to the University, one ambassador at a time, and spoke in depth about their history and culture. Her Highness also lectured on the Takamado Collection, selecting netsuke and sagemono that would induce interest of students. Each of the discussions by Her Highness, ambassadors, and students provides lots of food for thoughts.

Available in Japan.


Cover, H.I.H. Princess Hisako of Takamado (c) 2015

Posted on April 30, 2015



Book

Image Have Netsuke, Will Travel (new version)

Published by Kodansha on April 10, 2015
Photography and Text (in Japanese and English) by H.I.H. Princess Hisako of Takamado


Featuring 142 selected netsuke from H.I.H. Princess Takamado collection with photographs and text by Her Highness, this fascinating book (approachable even for laypersons) enjoys great popularity, and the new version is published in a smaller size.

Price: 2500 yen (excluding consumption tax).


Posted on April 2, 2015



Magazine

Image Nagomi, April 2015

Tankosha Co., Ltd.

Published on March 28, 2015
Text and captions in Japanese

The lure and appreciation of netsuke are discussed in a featured article, with the cooperation of Sagemonoya, Tokyo.

Available in Japan.


Cover, Tankosha Publishing (c) 2015

Posted on March 30, 2015



Magazine

Image Nagomi, March 2015

Tankosha Co., Ltd.

Published on February 28, 2015
Text and captions in Japanese

In the featured article, netsuke are illustrated with the cooperation of Sagemonoya, Tokyo, and recommended as chic accoutrement for men's kimono in the tea ceremony.

Available in Japan.


Cover, Tankosha Publishing (c) 2015

Posted on March 6, 2015



Book

Image Netsuke (Japanology Collection Series)

written by Komada Makiko, supervised by Watanabe Masanori
Published by Kadokawa Corporation on February 25, 2015
Text in Japanese, captions in Japanese and English


This small-format book on netsuke is written by me (Makiko), and supervised by Mr. Watanabe Masanori, the former president of Japan Netsuke Society!

It is an introductory book, but discusses various topics that have never been done before, with an assistance of my father as netsuke artist to include artist's point of view. The superb (and unique) netsuke illustrated in the book are drawn from many museums and individuals.

The book is part of the Japanology Collection Series, which also have Yokai (goblins and ghosts), Wagashi (Japanese sweets), Chiyogami (colorful Japanese paper for crafts), Bonsai (dwarf trees), and Kyoryori (Kyoto-style cuisine). The first two have already been published, and the third will be, too, together with my Netsuke. The other two will come out in March, 2015.

All these books have English captions. I only wish the main text is also in English (let me share with you a few points that I find interesting in the book Yokai. It tells us that Kappa was originally considered to look like a monkey(!), and the appearance resembling a frog or turtle is relatively new, from the Edo period onwards; and the reason for the fact that Japanese culture has many goblins is because each one takes on only one task/activity, e.g., Azuki Arai only washes red beans).

Still the books can be very enjoyable and entertaining, just by viewing the images and reading the captions. In fact, some Jewel-like traditional sweets shown in Wagashi are inspiring as netsuke designs (they almost look like netsuke if they had himotoshi)! I feel that netsuke artists can learn from those traditional sweets, e.g., the way to simplify things and how to make sophisticated lines and curves. Anyway, the book made me realize how deeply we Japanese love three-dimensional little things!

This series as a whole may give you some idea of the Japanese mind and aesthetics.

Price: 920 yen (excluding consumption tax) + postage. Both the paper form and eBook were released on February 25, 2015.

My book in Kadokawa Ocial Website (in Japanese):
http://www.kadokawa.co.jp/product/321408000291/


Cover, Makiko Komada (c) 2015

Posted on February 20, 2015. Revised on May 8, 2016.



Book

Image Atsumeru Hitobito [Collecters]

Basilico Co., Ltd.

Published in November, 2014
Text and captions in Japanese

This book features the life and collection of those who collect interesting objects. One of them is Mr. Uchiyama Hiroshi whose unique collection of netsuke and his collecting policy are discussed in depth. (Ryushi's work from his collection is illustrated in the book.)

Available in Japan.


Cover, Basilico Co., Ltd. (c) 2014

Posted on December 29, 2014



Book

Image Netsuke: 100 Miniature Masterpieces from Japan

by Noriko Tsuchiya

Published in July 2014
Text and captions in English

Selected from more than 2000 pieces housed in the British Museum, this book brings together one hundred of the most beautiful and interesting netsuke, some of which are contemporary pieces. It gives detailed explanations about the subject matter, etc.

Available at the British Museum and through its Online Shop:

Website:
http://www.britishmuseumshoponline.org

Cover, Noriko Tsuchiya (c) 2014

Posted on July 8, 2014



Book

Image Lectures at Osaka University of Arts (2013)

by H.I.H. Princess Hisako of Takamado

Published by Osaka University of Arts on April 26, 2014
Text and captions in Japanese

The 2013 lecture series is aimed to foster students' global perspective: Her Highness invited ambassadors from various countries to the University, one ambassador at a time, and spoke about their history and culture as well as about local netsuke artists. From the Takamado Collection, many netsuke that are related to the lectures are also illustrated with detailed explanations.

Available in Japan.


Cover, H.I.H. Princess Hisako of Takamado (c) 2014

Posted on July 7, 2014



Catalog

Image Hida Netsuke: Wood Carvings by Sukenaga and Other Hida Masters

Hida Takayama Triennale

Published on March 15, 2014
Text in Japanese, captions in Japanese and English

This exhibition catalog gives an overview of the history and works of Sukenaga, his followers, and other local carvers, showing marvelous Hida netsuke and related works from the Takamado collection as well as local and other private collections. Limited 500 copies.

Available in Japan.


Catalog cover, Hida Takayama Triennale (c) 2014

Posted on July 6, 2014



Magazine

Image Bessatsu Taiyo No. 217: Meiji no Saimitsu Kogei (Exquisite Crafts of Meiji)

Heibonsha Co., Ltd.

Published in March, 2014
Text and captions in Japanese

Illustrated are some 180 wonderful pieces of cloisonne, metalwork, jizai (movable) okimono, lacquerware, ivory and wooden carvings, inro and netsuke, as well as dyed textile, bamboo work and wooden crafts. A number of experts contributed articles, including the article on netsuke by the former president of Japan Netsuke Society Mr. Watanabe Masanori, and the one on inro by the director of Kiyomizu Sannenzaka Museum Mr. Murata Masayuki.

Available through bookstores.


Cover, Heibonsha Co., Ltd. (c) 2014

Posted on July 5, 2014



Catalog

Image Prince Takamado Netsuke Collection and Court Attire

Kure Municipal Museum of Art

Published on February 24, 2014
Text in Japanese, captions in Japanese and English

This exhibition catalog illustrates netsuke (both antique and contemporary), inro, and ojime from the Takamado collection. Also included are several sets of the Takamado Family's court attire.

Available in Japan.


Catalog cover, Kure Municipal Museum of Art (c) 2014

Posted on July 5, 2014



Catalog

Image In a Nutshell: Japanese Netsuke from European Collections

by Rosemary Bandini

Published in May 2013
Text and captions in English

Accompanying the exhibition at the Japanese Embassy in London, this catalog features many superb netsuke, previously unpublished, from some European collections. Includes the hare netsuke from the bestseller The Hare with Amber Eyes.

Available through Paragon Book Gallery:

Address: 1507 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
Tel: 312-663-5155 or toll free within USA 1-800-55-BOOKS (orders only)
Open hours: Mondays - Saturdays, 9:30am - 5:30pm (Central Time)
Fax: 312-663-5177 (24 hours)
E-mail:
paragon@paragonbook.com
Website: http://www.paragonbook.com

Catalog cover, Rosemary Bandini (c) 2013

Posted on July 5, 2014



Catalog

Image Exquisitely Crafted Ivory and Wood Carving of Meiji Period

Kiyomizu Sannenzaka Museum

Published in August 2009
Text and captions in Japanese and English

First published in 2009, this exhibition catalog illustrates many ivory and wood okimono and other works of master artist from the Meiji period such as Takamura Koun, Ishikawa Komei, Morita Soko, and Asahi Gyokuzan.

Postscript: this catalog was out of stock as of 2011, but it has been reprinted and has become available since the end of June 2013.

Please contact the museum shop for order information.

Kiyomizu Sannenzaka Museum
Address: 337-1 Kiyomizu-sanchome, Sanneizaka Kita-iru, Kiyomizudera-monzen, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0862
Fax: 075-532-4271
Website:
http://www.sannenzaka-museum.co.jp


Catalog cover, Kiyomizu Sannenzaka Museum (c) 2009

Posted on June 26, 2010, updated on July 4, 2013



Magazine Articles

FujinGaho The serial "Through the Lens"
Magazine Fujingaho

by H.I.H. Princess Hisako of Takamado

Published by Hearst Fujingaho Co., Ltd.
July Issue, 2013
Text and captions in Japanese

H.I.H. Princess Takamado contributes a serial to women's monthly magazine, alternately featuring "birds" and "netsuke". The issues from April 2011 onwards (even months) are for birds, and those from May onwards (odd months) are for netsuke. The article for the July issue (published on June 1) features 12 pieces of Kappa netsuke.

Available in Japan.

Cover, Hearst Fujingaho Co., Ltd. (c) 2013

Posted on June 4, 2013



Book

Image Lectures at Osaka University of Arts (2012)

by H.I.H. Princess Hisako of Takamado
Published by Osaka University of Arts on April 26, 2013
Text and captions in Japanese


To mark Her Highness's obtaining of doctoral degree, this lecture series features netsuke collections of various institutions and individuals around the world.

Click here for information on the lectures for the year 2011.
Click here for information on the lectures for the year 2010 and earlier.

Price: 5000 yen + tax and postage. Available in Japan.


Cover, H.I.H. Princess Hisako of Takamado (c) 2013

Posted on May 4, 2013



Magazine Article

"Interview with the Contemporary Netsuke Artist Saito Bishu"
Gekkan Bijutsu [Monthly Art Magazine], No. 452, May 2013

Published by Sun Art, Ltd.
April 20, 2013
All text and captions in Japanese

The article features the netsuke artist Bishu, interviewed by univeristy professor Mr. Motoe Kunio. They discuss netsuke from the viewpoint of contemporary art.

Available through bookstores in Japan.
Website:
http://www.gekkanbijutsu.co.jp


Posted on May 5, 2013



Catalog

Image NETSUKE, what else? SAGEMONO, of course

Scheduled to be published in Mid-May 2013 by Sagemonoya (Yabane Co., Ltd.)
Captions in English, Japanese, and Russian


Sagemonoya's full-color sale catalogue to mark the INS London Convention. Hard cover, 80 pages with photos of signatures.

148 pieces of netsuke, 6 smoking implements, 8 yatate, 3 pipecases, 1 bokuto, 6 inro, 1 tonkotsu, and 7 ojime. Artists include Natsuo, Kaigyokusai, Minko, Ohara Mitsuhiro, Toyomasa, Tametaka, Shoko, Masanao (Kyoto/Ise), and others.

For details, please contact Sagemonoya (Yabane Co., Ltd.) at the following address:

Address: Yotsuya 4-28-20-704, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0004
Tel: 03-3352-6286
Fax: 03-3356-6581
E-mail:
sagemonoya@gol.com
Website: http://www.netsuke.com


Cover, Sagemonoya (Yabane Co., Ltd.) (c) 2013

Posted on April 11, 2013. Updated on May 1, 2013.



Catalog

Image Stylish Life of Edo: Inro from the Kress Collection

Kyushu National Museum

Published in November 2012
Text and captions in Japanese and English
Profusely illustrated and partly bilingual, this exhibition catalogue introduces some 120 inro selected from the collection of internationally-acclaimed collectors Mr. and Mrs. Heinz and Else Kress who reside in Finland. This catalogue also includes 14 pieces of antique netsuke from the late HIH Prince Takamado collection.


Catalog cover, Kyushu National Museum (c) 2012

Posted on February 4, 2013, updated on March 28, 2013



Catalog

Image Shibata Zeshin: From Lacquer Arts to Painting

Nezu Museum

Published in November 2012
Text and captions in Japanese and English

This exhibition catalogue shows the wide range of his creative activities in lacquer and painting of Shibata Zeshin, the lacquer master active in the end of Edo to Meiji period.

Available through Paragon Book Gallery:

Address: 1507 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
Tel: 312-663-5155 or toll free within USA 1-800-55-BOOKS (orders only)
Open hours: Mondays - Saturdays, 9:30am - 5:30pm (Central Time)
Fax: 312-663-5177 (24 hours)
E-mail:
paragon@paragonbook.com
Website: http://www.paragonbook.com


Catalog cover, Nezu Museum (c) 2012

Posted on February 3, 2013



Book

Image Gokudo (Biography of Baron Go)

by Kojima Naoki
Published by Nikkei Publishing Inc. in May 1, 2012
Text in Japanese

First published in 1971, this two-volume biography depicts the life of Baron Go, who is famous for his netsuke and inro collection donated to Tokyo National Museum. He was one of the greatest businessmen in Meiji Japan, while he led an exceptionally fast life.

Baron Go's collecting of netsuke is discussed in another book titled Danshaku Go Seinosuke Kun Den (published in 1943 in Japanese language).

Available at bookstores in Japan.

Publisher's webpage: Volume 1:
http://www.nikkeibook.com/book_detail/19632/
Publisher's webpage: Volume 2: http://www.nikkeibook.com/book_detail/19633/



Cover, Nikkei Publishing Inc. (c) 2012

Posted on October 27, 2012



Book

Image The Hare with Amber Eyes: A Hidden Inheritance

by Edmund de Waal
Published by Chatto & Windus / Random House in 2010
Text and Captions in English


Non-fiction book by the English ceramicist Mr. Edmund de Waal. He inherited 264 netsuke from his granduncle. As he followed the history of those netsuke, he discovered the great but sad story of the netsuke and his family from the mid-19th century onwards in Europe and Japan.

Japanese translation was published in 2011. According to the author's website, the book will be published in over twenty-three languages by 2013.

Available at bookstores.


Cover, Chatto & Windus / Random House (c) 2010

Posted on November 27, 2012



Magazine Article

Image "Interpreting Animal Netsuke"
Me no Me [Monthly Magazine on Oriental Art and Antiques], No. 432, September 2012

Published by Ribun Shuppan Co., Ltd.
July 27, 2012
Text and captions in Japanese


Ms. Yoshida Yukari of Sagemonoya contributes the article titled "Interpreting Animal Netsuke". Her column "Netsuke Subjects" in this issue is the last one, and it features "Dragon King".

This Me no Me magazine has featured netsuke, tobacco pouches and other related objects.
Click here for more information.

Please contact Ribun Shuppan Co., Ltd. for order information:
Address: 3-32-10 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022, Japan
Tel: 03-3352-7322
Fax: 03-3352-7324
E-mail: eigyou@ribun.co.jp
Website: http://www.ribun.co.jp


Ribun Shuppan Co., Ltd. (c) 2012

Posted on August 10, 2012



Book

Image Lectures at Osaka University of Arts (2011)

by H.I.H. Princess Hisako of Takamado
Published by Osaka University of Arts on April 23, 2012
Text and captions in Japanese


During the year 2011 Her Highness gave several lectures, the subjects of which include "The history and Overview of Netsuke", "Theatrical Art and Netsuke", "Stories and Netsuke", "Nature and Netsuke", "Imagination and Netsuke". She discusses them with a number of examples and deep insights.

Click here for information on the lectures for the year 2010 and earlier.

Price: 5000 yen + tax and postage. Available in Japan.


Cover, H.I.H. Princess Hisako of Takamado (c) 2012

Posted on August 9, 2012



Book

Image How to Carve Netsuke

by Tanaka Toshiki
Published by Seibundo Shinkosha on December 31, 2011
Text and Captions in Japanese


The author provides instructions on how to make netsuke, beginning from the tools and materials, relief carving and netsuke in wood, and goes on to carving Iwami type of netsuke. Many pages are devoted to the carving and history of Iwami netsuke.

Price: 2520 yen excluding postage.


Cover, Tanaka Toshiki (c) 2011

Posted on August 9, 2012



Catalog

Image Netsuke: The Prince Takamado Collection

Tokyo National Museum

Published on April 2, 2011
Text and captions in Japanese and English

This catalog contains the photographs of the works and their signatures of all the contemporary and antique netsuke that HIH Princess Takamado generously donated to the Tokyo National Museum according to the wish of the late Prince Takamado. Also featured in the catalog are a chronological record of the Prince, dialogue between the Princess and the Museum's vice director Mr. Komatsu Taishu, and a column titled "What are Netsuke?".

Available through Paragon Book Gallery:

Address: 1507 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
Tel: 312-663-5155 or toll free within USA 1-800-55-BOOKS (orders only)
Open hours: Mondays - Saturdays, 9:30am - 5:30pm (Central Time)
Fax: 312-663-5177 (24 hours)
E-mail:
paragon@paragonbook.com
Website: http://www.paragonbook.com


Catalog cover, Tokyo National Museum (c) 2011

Posted on November 12, 2011, updated on March 18, 2012



Book

Image Rokusho, vol. 4: Netsuke Past and Present

Published by Maria Shobo in August 2011
Text and Captions in Japanese and English

With many color illustrations, this book explores the allure of netsuke that are antique, modern, and contemporary. The articles are contributed by the artists Bishu, Ango, Zanmai, and Rakuchu, as well as the dealers Mr. Hashimoto of Gallery Hanakagesho and Ms. Yoshida of Sagemonoya. (All the netsuke articles and captions are translated into English, and I, Makiko, helped edit the translations!)

Please contact Komada Makiko at
komada@cc.rim.or.jp for purchase information.

Also available at Paragon Book Gallery:

Address: 1507 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
Tel: 312-663-5155 or toll free within USA 1-800-55-BOOKS (orders only)
Open hours: Mondays - Saturdays, 9:30am - 5:30pm (Central Time)
Fax: 312-663-5177 (24 hours)
E-mail: paragon@paragonbook.com
Website: http://www.paragonbook.com


Cover, Maria Shobo (c) 2011

Posted on September 18, 2011, updated on October 1



Catalog

Image Shimatani Collection Kokusai

by Shimatani Yoichi

Published on May 1, 2011
Text and captions in English

English version of the catalog of sixteen fantastic works of Kokusai selected from the collection of the renowned Kokusai researcher Mr. Shimatani. The Japanese original catalog accompanied the exhibition at Gallery Hanakagesho in Autumn 2009.



Posted on June 13, 2011, updated on July 71, 2011



Magazine Articles

FujinGaho The serial "Through the Lens"
Magazine Fujingaho

by H.I.H. Princess Hisako of Takamado

Published by Hachette Fujingaho Co., Ltd.
from April issue 2011 onwards
Text and captions in Japanese

H.I.H. Princess Takamado contributes a serial to women's monthly magazine, alternately featuring "birds" and "netsuke". The issues from April 2011 onwards (even months) are for birds, and those from May onwards (odd months) are for netsuke, the works of Ms. Kitazawa Izumi, Ochiai Miyabi, and Cornell Schneider appearing in the May issue, the works of Mr. Takagi Kiho and Mr. Morita Masayuki in the July issue. The September issue has Ryushi's work. First published in 1905, this Japanese renowned monthly magazine is now with a circulation of more than a hundred thousand copies.

Available in Japan.

Cover, Hachette Fujingaho Co., Ltd. (c) 2011

Posted on June 12, 2011, updated on August 3, 2011



Book

Image Lectures at Osaka University of Arts, 2010

by H.I.H. Princess Hisako of Takamado
Published by Osaka University of Arts on April 23, 2011
Text and captions in Japanese


Printed in this book are lectures given by H.I.H. Princess Takamado as visiting professor at Osaka University of Arts in the year 2010. Her Highness discusses "Netsuke", "Japanese Netsuke Culture", "Environment", "Japanese and Western Views on the Nature", "The Relationship between Humans and Animals in Japan and the West" with Her Higness's comprehensive knowledge and global point of view. Also included is the results of "The Second Netsuke Competition Commemorating T.I.H. Prince and Princess Takamado". The lectures are aimed for the students, yet thought-provoking for netsuke aficionados and general readers.

Lectures for 2009, 2008, 2007 are also published as separate books. Each year Her Highness covered a wide range of themes besides netsuke, such as environment issues and etiquette in different cultures.

Price: 5000 yen + tax and postage. Available in Japan.


Cover, H.I.H. Princess Hisako of Takamado (c) 2011

Posted on June 11, 2011, updated on July 31, 2011



Catalog

Image Netsuke Opus 20

Scheduled to be published in 2011 by Sagemonoya (Yabane Co., Ltd.)
Text and Captions in English, Japanese, and Russian


Sagemonoya Gallery's sale catalogue of netsuke with color illustrations and full descriptions. This is the very first sale catalogue that gives detailed descriptions of himotoshi (cord channel), and all text is not only in English and Japanese, but also in Russian.

For details, please contact Sagemonoya (Yabane Co., Ltd.) at the following address:

Address: Yotsuya 4-28-20-704, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0004
Tel: 03-3352-6286
Fax: 03-3356-6581
E-mail:
sagemonoya@gol.com
Website: http://www.netsuke.com


Cover, Sagemonoya (Yabane Co., Ltd.) (c) 2011

Posted on March 9, 2011. Updated on July 3, 2011



Catalog

Image 120 Netsuke from the Brockhaus Collection Plus a Few Masterpieces from Others

by Alan Ducros

Published in October 2010
Text and captions in English, Japanese, and German

Catalog of netsuke displayed at the Netsuke Symposium organized in Kyoto and Tokyo by Mrs. Trudel Klefisch of Germany. Illustrated are 70 netsuke owned by the famous collector Mr. Brockhaus and handed down to his descendants as well as 50 netsuke from other European collections.



Posted on January 8, 2011



Book

Image Study on Tanaka Minko, the Carver to the Todo Clan of Tsu

by Okuno Hidekazu
Published on December 15, 2009
Text and captions in Japanese


This book contains 16-volume articles on the study of Minko done by the local aficionado of netsuke. Also included are articles on his research of Kokei and study of coloring methods.



Cover, Hidekazu Okuno (c) 2009

Posted on June 26, 2009



Magazine Article

Bien "Netsuke Carving - the Cosmos in the Palm of your Hand"
Epta, Vol. 44, pp. 25-30

Published by Epta Editorial Office
November 1, 2009
Text and captions in Japanese


This article features the interview with Masami (Sakai), netsuke artist from Ise. This issue of the magazine has more articles on carvings of wood, metal, as well as seal carving.




Cover, Epta Editorial Office (c) 2009

Posted on Jule 26, 2010



Catalog

Image Inro: A Key to the World of Samurai

by Else Kress & Heinz Kress

Published in April 2010
Text and captions in English (Finnish version is available separately)

Accompanying the exhibition in Tampere, Finland, this catalog covers wide range of artists, subject matters, material and techniques of inro drawn from the Kress collection. More than 200 exquisite inro and related objects and books are discussed in details with color illustrations. There are English version and Finnish version (separate volumes).

English version: Price is 50 Euros (including postage and packing). Please send cash in an envelope to Mr. Kress at the following address:
Mr. Heinz Kress
Address: POB 410b, 07880 Liljendal, Finland
Image
Finnish version titled "Inro, avain samuraiden aikaan: Kress kokoelma" is available through the Museum Centre Vapriikki:

Website:
http://www.tampere.fi/english/vapriikki.html

Catalog cover, Else Kress & Heinz Kress (c) 2010

Posted on June 25, 2010



Book

Image Introduction to Carving Wood Netsuke

by Nakagawa Tadamine
Published by Nichibo Shuppansha on December 10, 2009
Text and captions in Japanese


This is a textbook for carving wood netsuke, written by the artist of Ise netsuke Tadamine (Nakagawa). Includes information on shops that sell tools and materials.

Price: 3675 yen (including consumption tax) + postage.


Cover, Tadamine Nakagawa (c) 2009

Posted on June 25, 2009



Book

Image Joy of Netsuke

by Saito Bishu
Published by Nichibo Shuppansha in 2009
Text and captions in Japanese


With over 100 illustrations of his works, the netsuke artist Bishu (Saito) introduces the joy of netsuke making and collecting as well as what is fascinating about antique and contemporary netsuke.

Price: 3990 yen (including consumption tax) + postage.


Cover, Bishu Saito (c) 2009

Posted on June 25, 2009



Book

Image Japanese Netsuke

by Norman L. Sandfield & Huey G. Shelton

Published in 2009 by Art Media Resources, Inc.
Text and captions in English

This is a book of personal essays and the collections of the work of the master artist Ichiro (Inada). It features and illustrates the collection of Huey and Phyllis Shelton, with the collections of Robert and Miriam Kinsey, and Richard Silverman. Ryushi contributes an essay titled "Ichiro-san and me" (translated into English by me (Makiko)).
Available through Paragon Book Gallery and other bookstores.

Paragon Book Gallery, Inc.
Please take advantage of Koryuen 10% discount at Paragon website!
Click here for details.
Address: 1507 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605, U.S.A.
Tel: 312-663-5155 or toll free within U.S.A. 1-800-55-BOOKS (orders only)
Open hours: Mondays - Saturdays, 9:30am - 5:30pm (Central Time)
Fax: 312-663-5177 (24 hours)
E-mail: paragon@paragonbook.com
Website: http://www.paragonbook.com

Book cover, Norman L. Sandfield & Huey G. Shelton (c) 2009

Posted on June 24, 2010


Click the following categories for more publications:




MESSAGE FROM MAKIKO

This section has been made possible by those who contributed the above pieces of information. If you are one of the contributors, sincere thanks go to you. Thank you!





| Featured Publications | Catalogs | Books | Journals and Magazines | CD-ROMs |

| Koryuen Home | What is a Netsuke? | Exhibitions and Events | Publications |

| News and Views | Reports on Events | Netsuke Carving |

| Netsuke Organizations | Museums | Links | What is Koryuen? |



All rights reserved. Komada Makiko (c) 2000