Netsuke
1860-1899 (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 underside of the screen's frame. Although netsuke were made in a variety of forms, the most widely appreciated is the katabori (shape carving), a three- dimensional carving, such as this example. It can be appreciated fully in the round, as from the bottom of the netsuke the frightened face of the hiding child can ingeniously be seen.
From the 18th century onwards, many more makers signed their netsuke. This example is signed Masakatsu for the carver Suzuki Masakatsu (1840-1899).
From the 18th century onwards, many more makers signed their netsuke. This example is signed Masakatsu for the carver Suzuki Masakatsu (1840-1899).
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Carved and lightly stained wood |
| Brief description | Netsuke of two children playing around a screen, one wearing a demon mask and the other being terrified, in carved and stained wood, signed Masakatsu, Japan, 1860-1899 |
| Physical description | Netsuke of two cildren playing around a screen which is decorated in relief with peonies and rocks, with one child standing and peering round from one side to the other and wearing a demon mask, while the child on the other side crouches on the ground covering his head in terror; the head and front of his body can clearly be seen from the underside of the netsuke. The netsuke is made from carved and lightly stained wood and the means for attaching the cord are provided by natural openings in the design. |
| Dimensions |
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| Content description | Children playing around a screen, with one wearing a mask and frightening the other. |
| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | 'Masakatsu' with a kaô (Signed 'Masakatsu' for the netsuke carver Suzuki Masakatsu (1840-1899). ) |
| Gallery label |
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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. |
| 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 underside of the screen's frame. Although netsuke were made in a variety of forms, the most widely appreciated is the katabori (shape carving), a three- dimensional carving, such as this example. It can be appreciated fully in the round, as from the bottom of the netsuke the frightened face of the hiding child can ingeniously be seen. From the 18th century onwards, many more makers signed their netsuke. This example is signed Masakatsu for the carver Suzuki Masakatsu (1840-1899). |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.886-1910 |
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| Record created | June 25, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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