Netsuke, ivory, fox and head, signed by Masayoshi with Kakihan, early 19th century, Japan
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
early 19th century
The netsuke is a toggle. Japanese men used netsuke to suspend various pouches and containers from their sashes by a silk cord. 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 hardwearing. Above all they had to have the means of attaching the cord. In this example, there are a pair of holes ( himotoshi ) on the bottom of the sandal. Although netsuke were made in a variety of forms, the most widely appreciated is the katabori (shape carving). This is a three-dimensional carving, such as this netsuke. The fox in Japanese mythology and folklore is both the God Inari of rice and crop protection as well as an ambivalent creature.
This netsuke depicts a fox standing behind a severed woman's head. The fox's expression is highly emotive and the elaborate design holds a sculptural compactness.
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 4.45 cm
- Materials and techniques
- Carved ivory
Technical characteristics
- Place recorded
- Japan
Identification
- Candidate id
- vam-O492500
- Museum object number
- A.16-1958
- 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.