Hey there! We're a team of R&D engineers who get excited about everything from hardware and software to AI. We've also got a soft spot for 3D scanning, modeling, and bringing cool things to life visually.
Back in 2019, we had the amazing opportunity to work on the Objet.art Project (ArtClub Digital Heritage). Our mission? To help build out the netsuke section for the “Hermitage Under a Magnifying Glass” project. This was all about celebrating Japanese art, with a special focus on the incredible world of netsuke.
To make it happen, two top experts from Russia and the UK were brought in to handpick ten one-of-a-kind pieces from the museum's collection. We’re talking about Anna Savelyeva, the Curator of Japanese Art at the State Hermitage Museum, and Max Rutherston, a British expert who has poured his heart and soul into studying Japanese art, especially netsuke. They both shared their incredible knowledge on each piece, and we were there to capture it all in 3D.
Each netsuke tells its own story, not just in its history, but in the challenges it presents for 3D scanning. Here's a peek at some of the beautiful pieces we worked with and what made them so special to digitize.
Edo, mid – second half of the 19th century
Artist: Homin
Material: wood
Dimensions: 4.7 x 4 cm
This little demon was a real beast to scan! Its surfaces are incredibly detailed, with tiny grooves and bits that stick out. Getting the scanner to see into every nook and cranny was a fun challenge.
Kyoto, end of the 18th – beginning of the 19th century
Artist: Unknown
Material: ivory and transparent horn
Dimensions: 3.3 x 4.6 cm
The eyes on this carp are semi-transparent, which can really throw off a 3D scanner. We had to be extra meticulous to capture every single detail just right.
Kuwana, Ise Province, late 18th century
Artist: Kokei
Material: wood
Dimensions: 2.8 х 4.4 cm
Talk about complex! This piece is a maze of tiny details. We had to scan it very carefully to make sure we didn't miss any of the subtle nuances in its shape.
Edo (Asakusa), mid-late 19th century
Artist: Chounsai Jugyoku
Material: painted horn
Dimensions: 4.5 x 2 cm
This snail is a mix of different materials, each with its own texture and properties. That made it tricky to capture everything accurately in a single 3D model.
Japan, late 18th century
Artist: Unknown
Material: wood
Dimensions: 9.5 x 2.5 cm
The surface of this netsuke is incredibly detailed. We needed a super high-resolution scan to do justice to all its intricate features.
Wakayama, late 18th century
Artist: Ogasawara Issai (attrib.)
Material: wood
Dimensions: 2.5 х 7.5 cm
With its complex relief and tons of surface details, this piece demanded a really careful scan to get the texture and shape just right.
Nagoya, late 18th century
Artist: Tametaka
Material: wood
Dimensions: 4 х 2 cm
This goat's rich texture and detailed surface meant we had to be on our A-game to capture all its unique features.
Osaka, late 18th century
Artist: Shumemaru (Heigan)
Material: wood
Dimensions: 9.7 x 2.8 cm
The trickiest part here was the open mouth with a tiny, movable bead inside. We had to pay special attention to make sure the scan captured its shape and movement accurately.
Edo/Tokyo, late 19th century
Artist: Tokoku
Material: wood, ivory
Dimensions: 4.0 х 2.6 cm
This one was a double-whammy: a detailed surface combined with large, smooth, glossy areas. Reflections and uniform textures always make for an interesting day of scanning.
By the way, you won't find any actual photos in the video or its illustrations. Everything you see was created purely from the 3D scans.
Osaka, first half of the 19th century
Artist: Shukosai Anraku
Material: ivory
Dimensions: 5.6 х 2.6 cm
This netsuke is crafted from a dark, super glossy material. It looks stunning, but the reflections and complex shape gave our scanners a good workout.