Netsuke wood carvings

[Diosdado]

Hi guys
Dee here from New Mexico, I will be starting a new concept: carving Netsuke's puerto rican way. I have been carving golf ball's for practice and must say doing a fine job at it. Won a few state fair awards this year. My question is the grain of the wood I will be using...which way should it go?
thanks guys, i'll be awaiting your replies.

[jmischel]

For netsuke, which typically aren't very fragile, it probably doesn't matter a lot which way the grain runs unless you have thin pieces that could break off. Then I would arrange it so that the grain is running parallel to the thinnest/most fragile part.

From what I've seen of netsuke, it looks like the pieces are laid out so that the grain is part of the design.

You might be interested in this online book about carving netsuke, available from Sterling Sculptures

[Buffalo Bif]

Deeman, I'm wondering what you mean by 'Pueto Rican way'?

Jim, the online book is and excellent resource. I spent a couple hours with it last night and will be back again this weekend. Thanks for sharing.