Netsuke, carved ivory tanuki by Ikko, Japan, 19th century
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
late 19th century
The netsuke is a toggle. Above all they had to have the means of attaching the cord. This is a three- dimensional carving, such as this netsuke. The netsuke depicts a tanuki , or Racoon Dog, a mischievous creature in Japanese folklore that is often represented with a large stomach and with an equally large bottle of sake. These creatures could assume human form and were harmless and playful tricksters known for their wastefulness of money.
As with this netsuke tanuki are often represented playing their stomach like a drum to entice and confuse travellers, monks, hunters and passers-by. This example is signed Ikko. During this period there were eleven netsuke carvers who took the name of Ikko. Badger in ivory drumming on its distended stomach Bequeathed by Mr. Edmond Dresden, accessioned in 1904.
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
- Material
- Carved ivory stained dark brown
- Dimensions
- Height: 2.86 cm
Technical characteristics
- Maker recorded
- Ikko
- Place recorded
- Japan
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London collection record for this single object (sentences kept verbatim apart from removed sale or rarity wording); how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Candidate id
- vam-O492915
- Museum object name
- Netsuke
- Holding institution
- Victoria and Albert Museum, London
- Museum object number
- 425-1904
- Museum system number
- O492915
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and dating against a specialist reference; this entry documents one recorded example.