Not currently on display at the V&A

Netsuke

18th century (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 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 Chokaro Sennin.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Carved wood
Brief description
Netsuke, wood carved with Chokaro Sennin, signed Soshin, Japan, 18th century.
Physical description
Nestuke, wood carved with design of Chokaro Sennin, signed Shoshin.
Dimensions
  • Height: 6.2cm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
Translation
Soshin
Credit line
Salting Bequest
Object history
Bequeathed by Mr. George Salting, accessioned in 1910. 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 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 Chokaro Sennin.
Collection
Accession number
A.765-1910

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Record createdJune 25, 2009
Record URL
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