Not on display

Netsuke

1800-1900 (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 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 gourd.

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. Most netsuke had a pair of cord holes (himotoshi). Alternatively this netsuke has a metal fitting to hold the cord.

Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Carved lacquer with metal fitting
Brief description
Netsuke in the form of a double gourd decorated with peonies and foliage, pines, hills and a pavilion, carved red lacquer, Japanese, 18th or 19th century
Physical description
Netsuke in the form of a double gourd decorated with peonies and foliage, pines, hills and a pavilion in carved red lacquer
Dimensions
  • Length: 5cm
Content description
Gourd, pavilion, foliage, pine
Credit line
Florence Bequest
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 gourd.

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. Most netsuke had a pair of cord holes (himotoshi). Alternatively this netsuke has a metal fitting to hold the cord.
Collection
Accession number
A.40-1917

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Record createdJune 25, 2009
Record URL
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