Not on display

Netsuke

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 of a monkey.
A monkey netsuke, an animal from the zodiac calendar, could only be worn in public one year out of twelve. This netsuke would then be stored away and admired for its unique form, wistful expression and intricate features.

Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Carved wood
Brief description
Netsuke, wood, monkey, Japan
Physical description
Netsuke in wood of a monkey
Content description
monkey
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 of a monkey.
A monkey netsuke, an animal from the zodiac calendar, could only be worn in public one year out of twelve. This netsuke would then be stored away and admired for its unique form, wistful expression and intricate features.
Collection
Accession number
FE.95-1996

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Record createdJune 25, 2009
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