Cool Stuff: Sleeping Cat Netsuke

What is it? It's a Netsuke, a button-like thing that people in ancient Japan wore on their obi, or belt. Because kimono don't have pockets, they would have little bags or boxes that they would hang on these cute little "buttons". Some of them are very elaborate, some even pornographic (don't know where you would wear those, but whatever floats your boat.) Real netsuke are made of fancy wood or ivory, but this one is a replica made of plastic.

Why is it cool? Look at it! it's a big, round kitty! With a bow! I love things about cats, especially Japanese cats. This kitty is a japanese bobtail, which is kind of a symbol of Japan. This is extra-cool because it is a really good reproduction- it shows the skill of the artist who origionally carved it. He even put on darling paw-pads and his little curly tail!

Where did you get that? I found this cutie at the gift shop at the Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore. While you're there, go to the Asian Arts gallery to see real, antique netsuke, not to mention the gorgeous laquered boxes that once hung from them. If you're in Baltimore and you like ancient Japanese culture (or even if you're just an Otaku) it's a must see!

This just in! I Googled "Lacma" and "Netsuke" and found something incredible- the Los Angeles County Museam of Art's online Gallery! They have all sorts of great stuff to look at, with a huge collection of netsuke and prints. And, in the "Urban life in the Edo Period" collection, i found the origional version of this darling little netsuke.(don't tell the folks at the Museam website I posted that image...)