Netsuke, ivory, raiden peeping through clouds, signed by Gyokuyosai, seal Mitsu, 19th century, Japan
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
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. 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). In Japanese mythology Raijin is portrayed, as within this netsuke, as a horned demon with humanistic features and a thunder drum. This netsuke is lively in its depiction as Raijin is poised looking through the clouds.
Japanese and Chinese mythology and folklore provided a rich source of inspiration for Japanese carvers due to the rich diversity and creativity of the subjects.
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 1.9 cm; Length 2.90 cm
- Materials and techniques
- Carved ivory
Technical characteristics
- Place recorded
- Japan
Identification
- Candidate id
- vam-O492874
- Museum object number
- A.21-1919
- 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.