Anybody know anything about this?

[jill jackson]

All I know is this little hand carved figure came back from WW2 (via my Grandfather, who only said it came from Japan) and it's been around my house ever since I can remember. It's Japanese and I was told it was made of soapstone, by a antique shop.
I've asked online and the sites that deal with Japanese art are never helpful. (they just say they won't through pictures and act like I'm trying to get a price on it, which I'm not) Maybe it's a long shot but we have members here that are knowledgeable about many different interests. So can anyone tell me about my little Japanese figure?

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Netsuke.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netsuke
http://www.netsuke.org/

 

[jill jackson]

Netsuke.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netsuke
http://www.netsuke.org/

That leads me to wonder if it's even made from soapstone, since there's no reference of it in the article.
Thanks, Esav I emailed the President of the club so I can send her some pictures and hopefully find out more.

 

[BlackHills]

This one says that soapstone was used. http://www.artelino.com/articles/netsuke.asp If you do a search for soapstone netsuke you'll get a fair amount of hits.

 

[SDS]

I hope you don't mind me chiming in here. I kind of wanted to tag this thread to see what you find out. I believe, but am not sure, that Netsuke were carved from ivory, jade, and soapstone primarily. I have seen modern Netsuke carved from Tagua nuts (vegetable ivory).

I'm curious to hear what you find out.
SDS

 

[H2OCutter]

Is there a signature on the bottom ? http://www.netsuke.org/

 

[jill jackson]

Is there a signature on the bottom ? http://www.netsuke.org/

Only thing close to a maker's mark, or signature on it is this.

 

[H2OCutter]

Only thing close to a maker's mark, or signature on it is this.

That could be a makers mark.
Usually it's located on the bottom like so, but not always, sometimes no marking.