Netsuke
Early 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 sash 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 hard-wearing. 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 a skelton beating a wooden bell (mokugyo).
The mokugyo is used to accompany the chanting of Buddhist scriptures and services, including those for the dead. The combination of a religious utensil and skeleton should be interpreted, not as a gruesome memento mori, but as an instance of the irreverent humour which was responsible for netsuke of badgers as teamasters and demons as Buddhist monks.
The mokugyo is used to accompany the chanting of Buddhist scriptures and services, including those for the dead. The combination of a religious utensil and skeleton should be interpreted, not as a gruesome memento mori, but as an instance of the irreverent humour which was responsible for netsuke of badgers as teamasters and demons as Buddhist monks.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Carved wood |
| Brief description | Netsuke, skeleton beating a wooden bell, carved wood, signed Suketada, Japan, early 19th century. |
| Physical description | This netsuke is in the form of a skeleton striking a wooden bell (mokugyo) which rests on an embroidered cushion. The skeleton kneels in front of the bell with its two hands resting on it, while he holds the striker in his left hand.. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions |
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| 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. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The netsuke is a toggle. Japanese men used netsuke to suspend various pouches and containers from their sash 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 hard-wearing. 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 a skelton beating a wooden bell (mokugyo). The mokugyo is used to accompany the chanting of Buddhist scriptures and services, including those for the dead. The combination of a religious utensil and skeleton should be interpreted, not as a gruesome memento mori, but as an instance of the irreverent humour which was responsible for netsuke of badgers as teamasters and demons as Buddhist monks. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.812-1910 |
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| Record created | March 30, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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