The prices which have been and are being paid for Netsukes have fluctuated tremendously. In almost every large city there are importers or dealers in Japanese wares, or curiosity and antique shops, in which Netsukes can occasionally be found. When Japan opened its gates to European trade in 1868, European clothes were imported, the Netsukes became superfluous and great numbers of the most valuable pieces were sold in large quantities at most ridiculous prices. As far as the arrangement of Netsuke collections is concerned, it is advisable to keep them from being exposed to dust by putting them into glass cases with glass edges. Netsukes are placed together with curios, trinkets and other objects on the mantel pieces, there is danger of their being broken by careless domestics, swept away, or even carried to an unknown destination in the folds of a woman’s dress upon the occasion of a friendly visit.