Japanese Netsuke

The Japanese netsuke is a thing of wonder: a utilitarian accessory to traditional Japanese dress that has become an art form in itself, prized by collectors from East to West. The V&A’s collection of netsuke is world-famous, and this stunning book draws on its many highlights to explore the origins of netsuke and to trace the sources of their designs in prints, paintings and woodblock-printed books. It records the evolution of materials and techniques and the patterns of craftsmanship, in a text that is both accessible and comprehensive, and is illustrated with some of the very finest examples of netsuke.

Julia Hutt is Curator in the Asian Department of the V&A with particular responsibility for Japanese lacquer-work, inro and netsuke.