Netsuke, figure of Kan'u, a Chinese general and god of war, carved boxwood, signed Shunkosai, Japan, 19th century.
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
19th century
This carved boxwood netsuke is in the form of Kan'u, a Chinese general and God of War, standingin full armour and holding a spear behind him. There are two cord holes on the back.
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 hard-wearing. Above all, they had to have the means for attaching a cord. Netsuke were made in a variety of forms, the most widely appreciated being the katabori (shape carving), a three-dimensional carving, such as this one in the form of Kan'u, a Chinese general and god of war.
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
- Dimensions
- Height 5 cm
- Materials and techniques
- Carved boxwood
Technical characteristics
- Place recorded
- Japan
Identification
- Candidate id
- vam-O211640
- Museum object number
- A.782-1910
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked single-object source. Wider type attribution and authenticity have not been independently verified.
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 and source attribution against specialist references.