C4-Wednesday, June 11, 1980 - North Shore News women ETNA COLLECTING WITH TONI DABBS Miniature Japanese boxes works of art Recently a U.S. antique dealer paid a record $47,500 at auction in London for a small carving of a chicken and a cockerel huddled together. The carving, about 5 cm. (2 in.) high, was a netsuke (pronounced “net- ski”) by the Japanese master Kaigyokusai. Prices realized for netsuke and the imro (compoart- mentalized boxes) which they accompany often seem phenomenal when compared to the size and function of these miniature objects. However, the collector must consider the quality of work- manship which elevates them from mere ornaments te actual works of art, especially when their car- ving and decoration have bedg executed by masters. Netsuke and inro were develo around the end of the 16th}century as a sub stitute for pockets. The traditional dress of the Japanese man had no provision for carrying such necessities as coins, writing brusbes, ink and the class distinguishing seals, which were limited to nobility and the samurai (warriors) pnor to the 17th century. The inro (meaning “seal box”) initially was a single chamber but evolved into a series of two to five almost au ught compartment that fit compactly into one another to form an oblong unit usually 5 cm. to 10 cm (21n. to 41n.) in length. The separate com partments are held together by a himo (cord) which 1s ued at the bottom, passed through the carefully cut shafts along both sides of the inro, then joined at the top The joined cord ts threaded through an ojine (bead), and both ends are attached to the netsuke (meaning “fastener” ) When worn with $ a kimono, the tnro would be placed at the back of the nght hip The opme would be pushed down to keep the inro closed, then the hime would be shpped under the obt (sash) to keep itin place allowing both the inro and actsuke to dangle Originally, the inro was more highly prized than tts anchoring netsuke [ts pro duction was a time con suming ond comphcated task artists 12 bones a involving two might turn out who year. The inro-shi made the core of the box, using cypress wood or seasoned leather wrapped with lacquer impregnated strips of washi (handmade paper): the makie-shi decorated it, A Japanese inoro (scal box) of flve compartments with fees accompanying nctsuke (fastener). building up the lacquer for relief and applying gold or silver powders or ivory and mother-of-pearl inlays to depict different plants or animals or entire scenes. The early netsuke was no Visit us and see “Nearly Me" German ‘Anita " We also have “Wonderbra | way prosthesis Exclusively Yours #1611 026 Woal Goorin Modk.al/Dontal Bkig Vancouver BC. 684-3522 To All Mastectomees: the revolutionary Proethesia and the new and Air extensive bre and lingerie selection, and a full line of PROFESSIONALLY FITTED SWIM WEAR Mastectomy Boutique more than a conveniently shaped piece of wood, occa- sionally enriched with a little crude carving. By the end of the 18th century, though, the Japanese artists had trans- formed the device into a tiny ® F eaturin ‘Nearly OSCAR GRANN’S FURNITURE LTD. Custom made Furniture & Upholstery NOW SPECIALIZE IN: * free estimates *& CUSTOM REUPHOLSTERING supenor workmanship very competitive prices immediate semice large selection of fabnes “Established 20 years on the North Shore” 237 E. Ist ST.,N.V. 987-9833 but intricate sculpture of ivory, wood, bone or other material, such as metal or stone. The two general forms which the netsuke took were the manju, a shape like a round rice cake with flattened edges, and the katabori, a _ three-dimen- tional representation of an animal, human being, deity or mythical creature. The finest of these might take two months to carve. During the 1860s, Japanese isolation ended, and trade with the west re- SALE MENU Pants & Blouses 30° off Dresses 20% off Blazers 15% off Suits & Long Skirts 30% off Sweaters & Handbags 15% off Scarves 30° off Tasty ‘N Lusclous STRAWBERRIES Calitornia, 12 oz Valencia ORANGES California, tunch box size Seediess GRAPES Imported Fleld TOMATOES Flonda The Salad Fruit | AVOCADO Calitornia Fresh ‘N Tender BROCCOLI Californta ‘bonlessa's Annual June Clearance Starts Today — 4 days only FASHIONS 1128 Lonsdale ¢ 987-6411 opened for the first time since the 1600s. As_ the western style of dress was assumed by the Japanese, inro and netsuke no longer were needed and _ their quality began to suffer. However, western visitors admired the miniatures, so some pieces continued — and continue ~— to be produced. While many of these are cheap imitations of the magnificent antique pieces, others are the modern equivalents of the older gems and are certainly of collectable quality. 69° ons O° rm. 439°... 49°... 49°. Prices effective june | 1-15/80.