Netsuke
18th 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.
From the 18th century onwards, many more makers signed their netsukes. This example is signed Tadatoshi. This netsuke illustrates a Shojo, mythical creatures with long red hair and a love of drinking sake (rice-wine). Netsuke artists often depicted Shojo as either asleep or in the midst of drinking from very large sake cups.
From the 18th century onwards, many more makers signed their netsukes. This example is signed Tadatoshi. This netsuke illustrates a Shojo, mythical creatures with long red hair and a love of drinking sake (rice-wine). Netsuke artists often depicted Shojo as either asleep or in the midst of drinking from very large sake cups.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Carved wood |
| Brief description | Netsuke, wood, Shojo, signed Tadatoshi, 18th century, Japan |
| Physical description | Netsuke in wood of a Shojo, signed Tadatoshi |
| Dimensions |
|
| Content description | Shojo, mythical creature |
| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | (Signed Tadatoshi) |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Edmond Dresden Esq. |
| 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 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. From the 18th century onwards, many more makers signed their netsukes. This example is signed Tadatoshi. This netsuke illustrates a Shojo, mythical creatures with long red hair and a love of drinking sake (rice-wine). Netsuke artists often depicted Shojo as either asleep or in the midst of drinking from very large sake cups. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 371-1904 |
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| Record created | June 25, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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