Netsuke, signed but illegible, 1800-1900
Boxwood

A small crab crawls across a lotus seedpod. Three seeds in this netsuke are carved loose and rattle when shaken.

In Buddhist teaching, a crab’s hibernation was seen as a metaphor for the period of rest between reincarnations. So a crab on a lotus, a sacred symbol of purity in Buddhism, is decidedly a Buddhist theme.

Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6170

Netsuke, unsigned, 1800-50
Walrus tusk ivory

A snail crawls across a branch of five worm-eaten persimmons.

Persimmons or kaki are native to Japan and ripen in autumn.

They are sweet, slightly tangy and have a soft texture. Sweet, dried persimmons are associated with good luck and long life.

Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6076

Netsuke, signed Tomochika, 1870-1900
Elephant ivory, jet

Hunting wild animals with hawks and falcons was a popular sport for the ruling samurai class during the Edo period (1603-1868).

In Japanese art these birds were symbols of courage and masculinity.

Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6221

Netsuke, unsigned, 1800-1900
Sperm whale ivory, red coral

In Japanese mythology, frogs and toads are lucky creatures that are closely associated with myths and magic.

The skull represents the circle of life, and this piece probably served as a memento mori, a reminder of one’s mortality.

Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6085

Netsuke, unsigned, 1830-60
Ivory, jet

In the Shinto religion of Japan, deer are believed to be messengers between gods and humans.

Deer roam free at sacred sites in the city of Nara and on Miyajima island of Hiroshima prefecture.

In Japanese art and literature, deer are symbols of autumn, and their cries are linked with longing for one’s lover.

Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6289

Netsuke, unsigned, 1800-1900
Ivory, jet

Three rats nibble on Japanese fruit called ‘mountain grapes’ or yama budō. Mountain grapes and rats together are symbols of a good harvest and prosperity.

Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6259

Netsuke, unsigned, 1800-1830
Ivory

A rat pokes its head through a hole in a stitched rice-bag.

Although rats have a bad reputation in western cultures, they are considered lucky in Japan. This is because they appear at times of good harvests, when people have plenty of food and money.

Purchased, 1906
E2119

Netsuke, signed Masanao, 1835-1900
Boxwood

Abalones have been harvested since ancient times. Its shell was used in traditional medicine; it was thought to cure headaches and poor eyesight.

Dried strips of the meat called noshi made a good gift as their chewiness expressed a hope for long life: ‘may your life be lengthened and stretched like the meat of the abalone’.

Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6252

Netsuke, signed Masakatsu, 1860-1899
Boxwood

Two snails crawl about on a discarded well bucket.

This was a popular netsuke subject as craftsmen could show off their skills in carving different textures.

The carver of this netsuke, Masakatsu, worked mainly in boxwood. His family workshop in Ise Province specialised in animal carvings.

Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6181

Netsuke, unsigned, 1850-1900
Sperm whale ivory, jet

A highly skilled worker carved this netsuke with its chain and tiny monkeys from a solid piece of sperm whale ivory.

The monkeys and gourd-shaped container may be linked with the Chinese story of the Monkey King who stole a gourd full of long life pills.

Although a cord can be attached, this netsuke would probably be too delicate to use.

Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6155

Netsuke, signed Ikkyu, 1825-75
Sperm whale ivory

Octopus is a popular food in Japan. There are many folk tales about this intelligent animal.

In netsuke carvings octopus are often shown with pursed mouths, making them look comical.

The word for octopus in Japanese, tako, sounds the same as the word for ‘great happiness’.

Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6291

Netsuke, signed Tomotada, 1800-1830
Boxwood

In Japan, oxen were used to prepare paddy fields for rice cultivation, as well as to pull the carts of wealthy people.

The ox was a popular netsuke subject because it is a zodiac animal. People born in the year of the ox are said to be hardworking and honest.

Bequeathed by A. E. Horrocks, 1961
N6884

Netsuke, unsigned, about 1900
Boxwood, jet

This netsuke may show the Chinese story of the Monkey King who stole a gourd full of pills that meant he could live forever.

Now, that is a cheeky monkey!

Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6093

Netsuke, unsigned, 1800-1830
Ivory

A bird perches on a straw hat discarded in a pumpkin patch.

What noise do you think it might make?

Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6106

Netsuke, signed Okatomo, 1756-1781
Ivory/walrus tusk, red coral

Japanese people thought that the call of the quail sounded like Gokicchō, the Japanese word for ‘a favourable sign’.

If you were a bird, what would your birdcall be?

Given by Dame Monica Wills, 1931
Ea6858

Netsuke, signed Masakazu-to, 1800-1900
Sperm whale ivory

In Japan, dogs are considered lucky as they give birth to their puppies easily.

How many puppies can you count here?

Can you find any other netsuke that show a mother and her children?

Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6095

Netsuke, unsigned, 1800-1900
Ivory, red coral

East Asian stories tell of a white hare that lives on the moon.

In Japan, this hare is said to pound rice cakes with his pestle and mortar.

If you lived on the moon, what tasty treat from Earth what would you like to make?

Bequeathed by D. Bullock in memory of E. E. Bullock, 1918
Ea6468

Netsuke, signed Ransen, 1850-1900
Sperm whale ivory

Tigers were said to be able to live for a thousand years, turning white at the age of five hundred, and becoming stars in the Milky Way at the age of one thousand.

If you look up at the sky tonight, how many tigers do you think you might see?

Given by Dame Monica Wills, 1931
Ea6856