AboutTai Yamanaka Expertise I can answer questions regarding Japanese business culture, business etiquette, corporate society, as well as provide know-how on how to research industries, corporations and communicate with business contacts.
Experience I have over 20 years of experience working in Japanese corporations as well as for American corporations doing business with Japan. I have served as a representative as well as a go-between for American and other corporations with Japanese businesses, industry and scholarly associations as well as government agencies
Expert: Tai Yamanaka Date: 5/1/2007 Subject: Netsuke evaluation
Question Hi there i have got a netsuke,not sure what its worth or what its made of.I want to now what its worth and to find out about it,i think its old maybe from the edo period,it seems to be made from ifory or maybe wood it has got 2 cord holes at the back,one larger than the other,and its sighnd at the bottom of the foot. Can you help me? i can send you a picture of it.
Answer Hello Thomas,
Thank you for your question.
There are netsuke made of various materials, icluding ivory and different types of wood. The best-made ones are worth hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars.
The best way to get your netsuke evaluated is to contact one of the major netsuke associations around the world, listed below:
1. Japan Netsuke Society (Nihon Netsuke Kenkyukai)
www.cc.rim.or.jp
2. International Netsuke Society
www.netsuke.org
3. International Netsuke Carvers' Association
The International Netsuke Society has branches around the U.S. (Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco) as well as around the world, so may be the most accesible.
I hope this helps.
Please let me know if I can help with more questions.
