Netsuke in ivory of Emma (King of hell) being bathed by two demons, signed Giokushu
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
19th century
Netsuke in ivory of Emma (King of hell) being bathed by two demons, signed Giokushu. Yemma is seated in a tub with one demon washing his back and the other carrying water.
Japanese men used netsuke to suspend various pouches and containers from their sashes by a silk cord. In this example, there are a pair of holes ( himotoshi ) on the bottom of the sandal. In Chinese mythology Emma is the King of Hell who passes judgement of the dead. In this netsuke the supposedly terrifying stature of Emma is diminished due to his representation in a bath being washed by two demons.
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 2.54 cm; Length 3.18 cm
- Materials and techniques
- Carved ivory
Technical characteristics
- Place recorded
- Japan
Identification
- Candidate id
- vam-O492875
- Museum object number
- A.20-1919
- 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.