·       Ants

Takamakie on Kiji-nuri ground, this ground was done on the carved wooden surface with Seshime Urushi (4 layers), Roiro-Urushi (for carved places) and gold Hiramefun (3 sizes). The Ants were done with Ikkaki-Urushi, colored with Roiro-Urushi, small stones and pieces of dried grasses were covered with Keshifun, gold and silver. The size of this Manju netsuke is 2 inches across, ½ inch thick.

Russia, private collection.

·       Dragonfly

Takamakie on Kiji-nuri ground, this ground was done on the beautiful wooden surface with Seshime Urushi (4 layers) and gold Hiramefun (3 sizes). The body of the dragonfly and lotus leaves were done with Ikkaki-Urushi and covered with Marufun gold,  silver (4 sizes) and Kanshitsu-powder, small stones were covered with bronze powder mixed with charcoal. The size of this Manju netsuke is 2 inches across, ½ inch thick.

Russia, private collection.

·       Grasshopper

Takamakie on Kiji-nuri Ground, didn't carve the wooden urface I used this piece as it was, with very interesting defects of its surface, Seshime-Urushi (4 layers), Roiro-Urushi for efected places, gold Hiramefun (3 sizes). The relieves were done with Takamakie technique with Sumiko-Urushi and Ikkaki-Urush, Gold lacquers were different, with gold reddish Keshifun and gold dull Marufun, Mother-of-pearls: Paua and Abalon. The size of this Manju netsuke is 2 inches across, ½ inch thick.

Russia, private collection.

Thank WATANABE-SYOTEN and NIHON ART PUBLISHERS for helps, raw materials and book “Urushi”!