Netsuke, toggle of ivory

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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.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-002-225-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1946.175
• Date: 19th century
  
• Material: Ivory
  Netsuke
  
• Dimensions: 1.50" H
  
• What: Netsuke
  
• Subject: Netsuke / ivory
  
• Who:
• Where: Japan
  
• Event:
• Description: Netsuke of carved ivory, a travelling showman with a staff and a conch-shell and on his back a box containing a Tengu mask: Japan, 19th century
  
• References:
• Translations:
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