Netsuke, Japan, 1800-1850
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1800-1850
Netsuke in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (museum number 88-1907), made in Japan, dated 1800-1850, attributed to Masateru. The museum's brief description reads: Figure group of three rats, carved wood, Japanese, 19th century; Scu, Japan, dress accessories, wood. Museum description: 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. From the 18th century onwards, many more makers signed their netsukes. This example is signed Masateru from the Masanao regional group of Yamada, Ise province. The line originated with Masanao I (1815-90), although there were four other Masanaos, as well as various pupils who used the same 'masa' character in their name. Generations of Masanao craftsmen worked almost exclusively in wood,… The museum records it as Carved wood, measuring Length 3.4 cm. These details come from the museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
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.
Historical context
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. From the 18th century onwards, many more makers signed their netsukes. This example is signed Masateru from the Masanao regional group of Yamada, Ise province. The line originated with Masanao I (1815-90), although there were four other Masanaos, as well as various pupils who used the same 'masa' character in their name. Generations of Masanao craftsmen worked almost exclusively in wood, especially boxwood. They made detailed and realistic netsuke, such as this one. The Masanao line produced a wide range of subjects, but they specialised in animals. Popular designs included a toad on a bucket, toad on a sandal and rats.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- wood
- Dimensions
- Length 3.4 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Carved wood
- Maker recorded
- Masateru
- Place recorded
- Japan
Identification
- Museum object name
- Netsuke
- Museum object number
- 88-1907
- Museum system number
- O493034
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, maker and catalogue references against a specialist reference.