Ikkan wood netsuke of a rat with an edamame bean pod
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
early to mid-19th century, Edo period
This finely carved Japanese netsuke, dating to the early to mid-19th century Edo period, depicts a plump rat grasping a smooth edamame bean pod between its forepaws.
Attributed to the Nagoya school carver Ikkan, the netsuke is crafted from stained wood and showcases a compact, well-modeled form. The surface features meticulously incised fur that follows the animal's natural contours, while the expressive face is highlighted by delicately rendered, reddish horn-inlaid eyes. The underside of the object displays exceptional craftsmanship in the carving of the feet and the articulated tail, which curls naturally to form the integrated himotoshi.
Signed 'Ikkan' within an oval reserve on the base, this piece measures 4.4 cm in length. Its style is emblematic of the Nagoya tradition, reflecting the high level of detail and characterization associated with Ikkan's works, which often focus on animal subjects captured in dynamic or naturalistic poses, making this a classic example of nineteenth-century Japanese miniature sculpture.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Length
- 4.4 cm
- Material
- wood, horn
Technical characteristics
- Signature
- Ikkan
- Signature location
- underside in oval reserve
Design
- Subject
- rat with an edamame bean pod
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- Ikkan
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.