ˈnetso͝oˌkē/ NETSUKE are miniature sculptures that were invented in 17th-century Japanto serve a practical function (the two Japanese charactersne+tsukemean "root" and "to attach").
Traditional Japanese garments—robes called kosode and kimono—had no pockets; however, men who wore them needed a place to store their personal belongings, such as pipes, tobacco, money, seals, or medicines. Their solution was to place such objects in containers (called sagemono) hung by cords from the robes' sashes (obi). The containers may have been pouches or small woven baskets, but the most popular were beautifully crafted boxes (inrō), which were held shut by ojime, which were sliding beads on cords. Whatever the form of the container, the fastener that secured the cord at the top of the sash was a carved, button-like toggle called a netsuke.
So this is a pretty cool project I am finally getting traction with some 3D esoteric modeling.
Below is a fully 3D Model of this character. Ready for manufacturing in any media.
I intend to make a full Chess Set of Netsuke Animal Characters. Think it will pay extra homage to this incredible art form from Japan.