Not currently on display at the V&A

Netsuke

19th century (made)
Artist/Maker
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 the cord. In this example, there are a pair of holes (himotoshi) on the bottom of the sandal. Although netsuke were made in a variety of forms, the most widely appreciated is the katabori (shape carving). This is a three-dimensional carving, such as this netsuke.

This netsuke depicts the Japanese legend of Gama Sennin, a Chinese alchemist (Liu Hai) who learnt the power of immortality from a three-legged toad. It is made from an early plastic known as celluloid and has a seam, from where the two halves have been joined, running along the length of the piece. Celluloid was first developed in England around 1850 from a natural plant fibre and is very easy to mold and shape. It began to be manufactured in Japan during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Often utilised as a replacement for ivory, due to its light weight and easily tinted material, celluloid was sometimes used to produce netsuke.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
molded celluloid
Brief description
Netsuke, Gama Sennin, 19th century, Japan
Physical description
Netsuke of Gama Sennin with a toad on his shoulder in molded celluloid
Dimensions
  • Height: 6 cmcm
Content description
Gama Sennin, immortal, toad
Credit line
Murray Bequest
Object history
Bequeathed by Captain H. B. Murray, accessioned in 1910. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project.
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 the cord. In this example, there are a pair of holes (himotoshi) on the bottom of the sandal. Although netsuke were made in a variety of forms, the most widely appreciated is the katabori (shape carving). This is a three-dimensional carving, such as this netsuke.

This netsuke depicts the Japanese legend of Gama Sennin, a Chinese alchemist (Liu Hai) who learnt the power of immortality from a three-legged toad. It is made from an early plastic known as celluloid and has a seam, from where the two halves have been joined, running along the length of the piece. Celluloid was first developed in England around 1850 from a natural plant fibre and is very easy to mold and shape. It began to be manufactured in Japan during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Often utilised as a replacement for ivory, due to its light weight and easily tinted material, celluloid was sometimes used to produce netsuke.
Collection
Accession number
A.1042-1910

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 25, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest