Netsuke

netsuke, japan, craft, art, design

  • Netsuke of a basket of fish, Japan

    Netsuke of a basket of fish, Japan, 18th century. Museum no. A.59-1952

    Netsuke
    Japan
    18th century
    Carved ivory
    Museum no. A.59-1952

    Netsuke of a basket of fish, including an octopus.

  • Netsuke - Shojo sleeping, Japan

    Netsuke - Shojo sleeping, Japan, 1750-1850. Museum no. A.894-1910

    Netsuke
    Japan
    1750-1850
    Carved ivory
    Museum no. A.894-1910

    Figure of a sleeping Shojo, a mythical creature  with a liking for drinking sake. A kindly creature from Japanese mythology, Shojos live on the bottom of the sea. They have red  hair and a pink or red skin and are naked but for a skirt  of green seaweed. The figure here is sleeping and  leaning forward into its lap, therefore the nakedness is hidden. They brew a medicinal white wine called 'shiroi sake'  and other medicines. If a good person drinks the sake,  it will taste delicious and heals all ailments. If  consumed by a wicked person it will kill them, unless the drinker repents at once.

  • Netsuke depicting Raiden, Japan

    Netsuke depicting Raiden, Japan, 19th century. Museum no. A.741-1910

    Netsuke
    Japan
    19th century
    Carved ivory
    Museum no. A.741-1910

    Netsuke depicting Raiden, god of wind, thunder and lightning, amongst  clouds with another figure beating a drum. He is usually depicted as a red  demon with sharp claws and carrying a large drum..

  • Netsuke of a daruma, Japan

    Netsuke of a daruma, Japan, c.1800. Museum no. A.23-1919

    Netsuke
    Japan
    c. 1800
    Carved wood
    Museum no. A.23-1919

    Netsuke in the shape of a daruma. One of the most popular charms in Japan, representing a Buddhist priest called Bodhidharma (Japanese name, Bodai Daruma), who  was born in India in the 5th century. He introduced Zen  meditation to China. People who meditate fold their  legs under them and hold their arms close to the body -  this explains why the doll has no arms or legs. The daruma developed its present form about 200  years ago. one of its best loved features is the shape,  which makes it bounce back to an upright position after it is pushed over..

  • Netsuke of General Gentoku, Japan

    Netsuke of General Gentoku, Japan, 19th century. Museum no. A.781-1910

    Netsuke
    Japan
    19th century
    Carved ivory
    Museum no. A.781-1910

    Netsuke depicting the Chinese General Gentoku, riding through water on a horse.

  • Netsuke of a skull, Japan

    Netsuke of a skull, Japan, 19th century. Museum no. 457-1904

    Netsuke
    Japan
    19th century
    Carved ivory
    Museum no. 457-1904

    Netsuke in the shape of a skull, the Japanese Buddhist symbol of Yama, god of the dead.