2024

47 RONINS
25 images
In Japan, the 47 ronin are revered for their greatest loyalty to duty and honor, an impressive story! While creating a sketch for a netsuke, I referred to Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s engravings from the Orlov-Kretschmer collection “47 Loyal Ronin” from the exhibition at the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts. I was impressed by the elevated images of the samurai; their names remained in history and people’s memory, while the names of the samurai who defended Kira faded into oblivion. This served as the basis for the sketch. I captured only the images of the 47 ronin, who remain in our memory as invincible warriors, preserving valor and honor. Manju netsuke 47 RONINS was carved from mammoth tusk, Japanese Urushi lacquers, 6.3 cm across, August 2024
HERON
8 images
In Japanese art, the heron symbolizes elegance, purity and grace. These birds are often depicted in various art forms, including paintings, pottery and kimono designs, reflecting the beauty and cultural traditions of Japan. A flying heron symbolizes good luck and prosperity, and also reflects the desire for heights of spirit, physical and spiritual purification. The flying heron, like the crane, is a bird that is perceived as capable of reaching heavenly heights, symbolizing ambition and the ability to achieve high goals. Ryusa netsuke "Heron" was carved from mammoth ivory, 2 inches in diameter, half an inch thick, Urushi lacquers, gold, silver and koban (an alloy of gold and silver with a greenish tint), inlaid eyes with mother of pearl and black water buffalo horn, braided cord and ojimi mammoth tusk with Urushi lacquers. 2024. Russia, private collection.
YUKI-ONNA
17 images
Netsuke double-sided Yuki-onna/Hannya mask was carved from a walrus tusk, mask height 8.8 cm, blue and black Urushi, silver, eyes inlaid with mother of pearl and black buffalo horn. Can be used as a neck tie. 2024. Available for purchase. On a cold winter night, when the snow falls in thick flakes, you can see the silhouette of a beautiful woman woven from snowflakes, like a white silent ghost. Her white hair, like snow swirls, covers her shoulders, and her eyes shine with an icy light, like stars in a cloudless night sky. This is Yuki-onna - the snow woman, a creature that simultaneously attracts and frightens. Her cold beauty fascinates people, but beneath the charm of her beauty lies a mortal danger. Those who met her in the forest described her as a beautiful vision, but their admiration quickly turned to horror as Yuki-onna approached. She could stop a heart with her gaze or freeze a soul with her breath. But at the same time, under the impenetrable mask of cold, sensuality and passion lurked, capable of kindling a flame in the hearts of even the most cold-blooded. Yuki-onna wanders among snowy peaks and icy waterfalls, causing awe, love and death, leaving behind a trail of mysteries and legends that continued to live in the hearts of those who dared to meet her on their way. 氷のように冷たい目をした雪女が触れると、冬が目を覚ます Icy eyes, Touch Yuki-onna, Winter awakens. I am very grateful for the help of Guy de la Rupelle in editing the Japanese translation of the haiku.