Lacquered Shunga Manju Netsuke of Okame and Sarutahiko no Mikoto Masks
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
This 19th-century Edo period manju-style netsuke features a compact, circular form masterfully carved on both sides with expressive mythological masks. One side depicts the deity Sarutahiko no Mikoto, with features finished in red lacquer in the Negoro style, deliberately rubbed to simulate age.
The mask displays dramatically arched brows, glaring gold eyes, and a characteristically long, phallic nose. The reverse side features the smiling face of Okame, with silver-lacquered skin accented by red lacquer on her eyelids, lips, and a provocatively protruding tongue. Measuring 3.2 cm in diameter, the piece includes large himotoshi underneath, positioned near a largely rubbed and illegible signature accompanied by a kakihan.
The juxtaposition of these figures serves as a shunga erotic conceit, playing on the themes of humor, fertility, and divine imagery common in Edo-period iconography. The construction demonstrates intricate carving techniques combined with skilled traditional lacquer application to achieve its distinct dual-faced aesthetic.
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
- Diameter
- 3.2 cm
- Materials
- lacquer, silver lacquer, red lacquer, gold
Design
- Obverse
- mask of Sarutahiko no Mikoto
- Reverse
- mask of Okame
- Inscriptions
- signature and kakihan (largely rubbed)
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.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.