Netsuke, toggle of ivory

Two netsuke made of ivory are carved into tengu or wood sprites, one with Yoshitsune. 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.

These netsuke reflect the myth that Yoshitsune the medieval hero was taught archery by the chief of Tengu. He sits above Yoshitsune, b) and with a hatching tengu in a). The himetoshi, holes for passing the cord through are in the base of both of them.

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