Year of the Rat

  • 'Ganesha, the god of wisdom and remover of obstacles'

    'Ganesha, the god of wisdom and remover of obstacles', painting, India, about 1825. Museum no. IM.444-1923

    'Ganesha, the god of wisdom and remover of obstacles'
    Painting
    India
    About 1825
    Museum no. IM.444-1923

    Ganesha is the popular Hindu god of wisdom and the remover of obstacles. He is portrayed as a four-armed fat man with the head of an elephant and is often shown riding his vehicle, a rat. This rat is most commonly called 'Mooshika'. Some believe that it was once a powerful but slow-moving demon, whom Ganesha defeated in a battle. The demon then offered to become Ganesha's faithful servant, so Ganesha turned him into an agile rat. Hindus generally believe rats represent prudence and foresight.

  • Netsuke, Japan

    Netsuke, Japan, about 1750-1800. Museum no. A.958-1910

    Netsuke,
    Japan,
    About 1750-1800
    Museum no. A.958-1910

    The netsuke is a toggle. Japanese men used netsuke to suspend various pouches and containers from their sashes by a silk cord. Netsuke had to be small and not too heavy, yet bulky enough to do the job. They needed to be compact with no sharp protruding edges, yet also strong and hard-wearing. Above all, they had to have the means for attaching a cord. Netsuke were made in a variety of forms, the most widely appreciated being the katabori (shape carving), a three-dimensional carving, such as this one in the form of a rat. A netsuke portraying an animal from the East Asian zodiac was particularly associated with the New Year festivities of the appropriate year, but could also be used at any time during that particular year, and again 12 years later in accordance with the cycle.

  • Netsuke, Masanari Seikei

    Netsuke, Masanari Seikei, Japan, 19th century. Museum no. 529-1904

    Netsuke
    Masanari Seikei
    Japan
    19th century
    Museum no. 529-1904

    The netsuke is a toggle. Japanese men used netsuke to suspend various pouches and containers from their sashes by a silk cord. Netsuke had to be small and not too heavy, yet bulky enough to do the job. They needed to be compact with no sharp protruding edges, yet also strong and hard-wearing. Above all, they had to have the means for attaching a cord. Netsuke were made in a variety of forms, the most widely appreciated being the katabori (shape carving), a three-dimensional carving, such as this one in the form of a rat-catcher. People, whether real, imaginary or historical, provided a rich source of inspiration for netsuke carvers. Of particular appeal during the 19th century were depictions of city life, trades and occupations. This example shows a rat-catcher at work, with a rat crawling across his back. He is extremely realistically carved, his muscles tense and a look of anger on his face as the rat escapes.

  • 'Netsuke', Japan

    'Netsuke', Japan, 19th century. Museum no. 88-1907

    'Netsuke'
    Japan
    19th century
    Museum no. 88-1907

    The netsuke is a toggle. Japanese men used netsuke to suspend various pouches and containers from their sashes by a silk cord. Netsuke had to be small and not too heavy, yet bulky enough to do the job. They needed to be compact with no sharp protruding edges, yet also strong and hard-wearing. Above all, they had to have the means for attaching a cord. Netsuke were made in a variety of forms, the most widely appreciated being the katabori (shape carving), a three-dimensional carving, such as this one in the form of a group of a mother rat with two baby rats. A netsuke portraying an animal from the East Asian zodiac was particularly associated with the New Year festivities of the appropriate year, but could also be used at any time during that particular year, and again 12 years later in accordance with the cycle.

     

  • Edward Lear, 'The letter R'

    Edward Lear, 'The letter R', one of 26 drawings from 'A Children's Nonsense Alphabet', England, about 1880. Museum no. E.870-1951

    Edward Lear
    'The letter R', one of 26 drawings from 'A Children's Nonsense Alphabet'
    England
    About 1880
    Museum no. E.870-1951

    'This is one of 26 drawings from A Children's Nonsense Alphabet; showing four different styles upper and lower case and copperplate, with the drawing of a rat. There is a poem below the drawing which says: 'R was a Rat. His tail was long. But he stole some bread. Which was certainly wrong.'

  • Netsuke - small rat on a capsicum. Museum no. 811-1907

    Netsuke - small rat on a capsicum. Museum no. 811-1907

    Netsuke depicting a small rat on a capsicum
    Japan
    1750 - 1850
    Carved ivory
    Museum no. 811-1907

    The netsuke is a toggle. Japanese men used netsuke to suspend various pouches and containers from their sashes by a silk cord. Netsuke had to be small and not too heavy, yet bulky enough to do the job. They needed to be compact with no sharp protruding edges, yet also strong and hard-wearing. Above all, they had to have the means for attaching a cord. Netsuke were made in a variety of forms, the most widely appreciated being the katabori (shape carving), a three-dimensional carving, such as this one in the form of small rat sitting on a capsicum. A netsuke portraying an animal from the East Asian zodiac was particularly associated with the New Year festivities of the appropriate year, but could also be used at any time during that particular year, and again 12 years later in accordance with the cycle.