Netsuke and okimono. Models for making Japanese and Chinese figurines.

Our website presents a wide range of ready-made 3D models for the manufacture of a wide variety of products. Including for the production of Japanese and Chinese figurines on CNC machines. In addition, we are ready to manufacture any models according to your specifications. With our models you will create products that are in high demand. One of the options for such products is netsuke and okimono.

Below we will talk about these types of figurines. Why are they so popular? Why are there wealthy collectors who collect netsuke and okimono? Where did such figurines come from and why did they become popular?

This will allow you to better understand the different types of Japanese and Chinese figurines, understand their differences and purpose. And offer your customers the product that will be interesting and in demand.

Okimono: features, differences

These are mainly Japanese figurines. They have a literal translation: “thing to be seen.” That is, okimonos were originally used for decorative purposes, for display to the public.

Okimono are usually small in size. They were located in Japan in residential buildings, in niches arranged specifically for these purposes in the walls. Such niches in the 16th century became an important component of interiors, as a rule, in privileged aristocratic houses (not among the poor).

The fact is that okimono is not a very cheap figurine. The material used was often ivory. Which made them an expensive accessory.

The predecessors of the okimono were figurines of Buddha and the Japanese traditional tumbler doll (Daruma). And initially these figurines were placed not for beauty, but to protect the house, for amulet, since they carried a sacred, spiritual meaning.

But later the characters of the figurines changed significantly and expanded. The figurines depicted traditional Japanese subjects: old people, children, fishermen, Japanese women, historical figures, musicians, actors, animals, sea creatures.

This type of art was called Japanese realism.

In the 17th century, okimono figurines were first introduced in Europe. This was the beginning of the era of collecting. The figurines attracted attention and aroused great interest among Western collectors. Connoisseurs began to buy figurines made of wood, ivory, bronze and silver. Exclusive Japanese okimono were infused with precious materials.

It is interesting that at the moment, the most extensive collections with these figurines are located in Western countries, and not in their historical homeland - not in Japan.

In addition, it is interesting that among Russian writers there were those who collected Japanese okimonos, for example, Gorky.

Netsuke: what is this? Differences

Netsuke is another type of Japanese figurine.

Netsuke is not so much an interior item as an element of clothing. In the 16th century, netsuke were an important part of men's costume. They have a rounded shape (without sharp edges, so as not to catch on clothes) and a hole for a lace. They were attached to the belt and helped to carry keys, weapons, and so on.

Thus, netsuke is a kind of keychain, a fashionable fiddle, but also a talisman, a talisman. Superstitious Japanese often endowed netsuke with magical properties and believed that the figurines were capable of protecting, helping, and protecting.

Netsuke are no less popular among collectors.

There were different types, depending on the storylines:

• Netsuke depicting animals or people were called katobori and were the most common options,
• Netsuke, demonstrating hieroglyphs, characters of Japanese mythology - were called manchu,
• Netsuke, which are a block for a bunch of keys, were called sashi,
• And netsuke, made of reeds and resembling figures of intertwined deities or people, were called itaraku.

There were also netsuke that were endowed with special properties. For example, the Japanese believed that a figurine of a sage could give its owner the ability to think sensibly and make wise decisions. And the figurine of an old man with a bag helped to acquire wealth. A figurine of an old man with a fish was supposed to bring happiness to its owner. A netsuke with an image of a child could guarantee the birth of a healthy and strong baby.

In addition, sailors tried to take with them netsuke depicting a whale, which became a kind of guarantee of success in sea adventures. For longevity, old people were given netsuke depicting a turtle. And for guaranteed protection from all troubles and misfortunes, people tried to acquire netsuke depicting a dragon (the most powerful talisman for the Japanese).

Such figurines were made either from wood or ivory.

Making netsuke and okimono in our time:

Now Eastern traditions and Japanese culture are at the peak of popularity in Russia, which is largely due to the creativity of Japanese animators and directors. Young people are happy to purchase anything that in one way or another reminds them of the plots of their favorite comics, cartoons, and TV series.

Among them, Japanese and Chinese figurines, figurines in the style of anime and manga are actively purchased (we talked about them in more detail in a separate article).

Our website has a separate section with models of Japanese and Chinese figurines (see follow the link).

In addition, we are ready to produce any model according to your order, just write to us about your wishes, attach detailed technical specifications, photos and sketches of the future product.

Using models in stl format, you can prepare a control program and make okimono, netsuke, or simply Japanese and Chinese figurines from any material on a CNC machine or 3D printer: wood, stone, metal, plexiglass.

The machine, almost autonomously, will cut out the desired relief on the material and create the necessary carved decor.

If you have any questions, contact us in any way convenient for you (messengers, email, phone, application form on the website). We will provide detailed advice.

Other articles you may be interested in:

• Egyptian style in the interior: features. 3d models for creating products in the Egyptian style.
• Toy soldiers as a collectible. 3D models of soldiers.
• Buddhist deities and their types: 3d models
• Figurines of dragons, sphinxes, griffins and other mythical creatures. Models for CNC