Fumio Noguchi
野口文男
Born: Gunma, Japan
Began Carving: in February 2000
Former/Other Occupation: Editor of a running magazine / Bed & Breakfast Owner & Operator
Favourite Subjects in Netsuke: Aquatic creatures, New Zealand Native Animals, Small creatures(insects, amphibians, etc..), Japanese Legends and traditional theme.
Tools: Files, Needle Files, Handmade Chisels(Hidari-ba), Dremel, Sand Papers, Willow Tree twig, Tokusa(sanding plant)
Favorite leisure activity:
Running, Playing Darts, Drinking Wine, Beer and Sake, Collecting antique Netsuke, Visiting Antique shops, looking for old and retro
things
Artists in his close Family:
Animal Taxidermist (Hakusei-shi), Rock singer-song writer, Bonsai-Artists, Buddhism Art Painter, Jade Carver(son=Kyohei Noguchi)
About *Kyohei Noguchi
https://www.mountainjade.co.nz/blogs/news/meet-the-carver-kyohei-noguchi
Photos /Nick Paulsen
I started carving in the year 2000 under the guidance of David Paki who is a Maori Carving Teacher in Christchurch. The very first bone piece I made (only used Coping Saw, Files and Sandpapers) was beautiful enough to let me into carving world. Paki taught me the importance of hand tools that I still use mainly. I finish every piece by hand sanding/polishing using 1000 ~ 2000 grid wet & dry sandpaper. Lately, I started using "Tokusa" = sanding plant for sanding for Netsuke and polishing with the dust powder of Deer antler.
After several years of carving contemporary Maori carving, I realised my true calling was in carving my own cultural Netsuke. I was captivated by the Netsuke’s interesting design, background stories, size and exquisite craftsmanship. So, I started to collect Netsuke books and antique Netsuke to study them. Contacting other carvers and dealers with similar interests to further knowledge, and I'm still learning to this day.
In 2015, I was lucky enough to get advise from Japanese Master Netsuke Carvers in Tokyo. Mr Ryushi Komada even gave me a couple of his handmade chisels which work really well. Mr Akira Kuroiwa also gave me some useful tools and hint.
When I carve Netsuke, I always make it as practical Netsuke which should be. So, the HIMOTOSHI holes are located well considered position with nice shape/looking. The piece hasn't got any sharp point nor fragile parts for hard wearing and it shouldn't make damage for garment.
*In 2022, Two of Fumio's Netsuke were purchased from "Museum of International Folk Art" in Santa Fe, USA.
