Netsuke, toggle of ivory

This netsuke is made of ivory carved into a showman with a mask on his back. 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.

The travelling showman is carrying his mask on his back. He is also carrying a conch shell in his left hand, which he played to attract an audience. He carries a walking staff in his right hand.

The netsuke was given to the museum as noted within a collection of 625 making up the Fyfe collection.

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