Netsuke, figure of Minamoto no Tsunemoto killing a stag, carved ivory, Japan, 19th century.
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
19th century
This carved ivory netsuke is in the form of Minamoto no Tsunemoto, a tenth century high-ranking courtier, poet and general, killing a stag. Dressed in military attire with a long sword, he holds a bow from which he has just shot an arrow at the stag, which falls at his feet.
The netsuke is a toggle. Japanese men used netsuke to suspend various pouches and containers from their sash by a silk 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 Minamoto no Tsunemoto killing the demon stag.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 2
- 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 4.6 cm
- Materials and techniques
- Carved ivory
Technical characteristics
- Place recorded
- Japan
Identification
- Candidate id
- vam-O211656
- Museum object number
- A.800-1910
- 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.