Netsuke, the small sculptural objects worn by men in Japan since the seventeenth century, first shot to fame in Europe with the publication of Edmund de Waal\u2019s popular memoir,\u00a0The Hare With Amber Eyes<\/em>\u00a0in 2010. As\u00a0de Waal recounts his unusual story of inheritance, namely a collection of 264 netsuke from a great uncle, Iggie, these miniature artworks began to capture\u00a0the imagination of readers all over the world.<\/p>\n They already have, however, a long history as part of everyday life in Japan, and have been collected and traded all over the world\u00a0for centuries. Designed to endure, and utilitarian in function, netsuke became a way for men to demonstrate class, taste and wealth, with a desired effect\u00a0little different to\u00a0the glint of an\u00a0expensive watch or the sheen of a silk tie. They were attached to cords to secure tobacco pouches or purses as you can see in the print below, necessary because kimono have no pockets. In this case, the man has one in the shape of a rat, representing the lucky god, Daikoku.<\/p>\n They already have, however, a long history as part of everyday life in Japan, and have been collected and traded all over the world\u00a0for centuries. Designed to endure, and utilitarian in function, netsuke became a way for men to demonstrate class, taste and wealth, with a desired effect\u00a0little different to\u00a0the glint of an\u00a0expensive watch or the sheen of a silk tie. They were attached to cords to secure tobacco pouches or purses as you can see in the print below, necessary because kimono have no pockets. In this case, the man has one in the shape of a rat, representing the lucky god, Daikoku.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"