Netsuke
ca. 1750-1815 (made)
| Place of origin |
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 hardwearing. Above all they had to have the means of attaching to a cord. Netsuke were made in a variety of forms, the most widely appreciated is the katabori (shape carving), a three-dimensional carving, such as this one in the form of a squatting figure.
From the 18th century onwards, netsuke were increasingly signed by the craftsman. This example is signed by Tanaka Minko (1735-1816), who was the founder of a small group of regional netsuke carvers in Tsu, Ise province.
From the 18th century onwards, netsuke were increasingly signed by the craftsman. This example is signed by Tanaka Minko (1735-1816), who was the founder of a small group of regional netsuke carvers in Tsu, Ise province.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Carved wood |
| Brief description | Netsuke of a bound demon, squatting and grimacing, Tanaka Minko, Japan, ca.1750-1815. |
| Physical description | Carved wooden netsuke in the form of a bound demon, squatting and grimacing. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | Minko (Incised with the artist's signature) |
| Object history | Bequeathed by Mr. Edmond Dresden, accessioned in 1904. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | 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 hardwearing. Above all they had to have the means of attaching to a cord. Netsuke were made in a variety of forms, the most widely appreciated is the katabori (shape carving), a three-dimensional carving, such as this one in the form of a squatting figure. From the 18th century onwards, netsuke were increasingly signed by the craftsman. This example is signed by Tanaka Minko (1735-1816), who was the founder of a small group of regional netsuke carvers in Tsu, Ise province. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 377-1904 |
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| Record created | July 18, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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