Netsuke, toggle of ivory

Add to album

This ivory netsuke is of a man hiding a mask behind his back from a child sitting in front. A netsuke is used to fasten an inro, a small lacquered container, which hung from the sash of a man's kimono. They became miniature art forms in their own right.

This netsuke is of a man hiding a mask of a green oni, devil from a child. These devils are expelled at new year. The himetoshi, holes for passing the cord through are at the back and on the base. The string for the small green mask passes through them.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-190-004-269-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1914.1389
• Date: 19th century
  
• Material: Ivory
  Netsuke
  
• Dimensions: 1.38" H
  
• What: Netsuke
  
• Subject: Netsuke / ivory
  
• Who: Hotei
  
• Where: Japan
  
• Event:
• Description: Netsuke of carved ivory, Hotei? sitting holding a finger to his right eye at which a child gazes, behind him is a small green mask held by string, signed: Japan, 19th century
  
• References:
• Translations:
• Related Records: