Gods and Demons
Japanese netsuke customers were keen on images of gods who might bring them long life, wealth or happiness.
Many of these gods come from Buddhist and Daoist beliefs which were imported to Japan from China. Other popular figures such as Okame, the goddess of mirth, come from ancient Japanese tales.
Demons are a popular subject in netsuke too, perhaps to remind people of right and wrong or because their bad behaviour seemed amusing.
The Seven Lucky Gods on the Ship of Good Fortune
Okimono, unsigned, about 1900
Ivory
Stories say that the Seven Lucky Gods sail into ports on the Ship of Good Fortune during the first three days of the New Year, bringing luck and prosperity to everyone.
People believe that placing a picture of the Seven Lucky Gods under one’s pillow on the last day of the year will bring good fortune for the year ahead.
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6110
Myriad Treasures
Netsuke, signed Tomotoshi, 1870-1900
Walrus tusk ivory
People said that the Seven Gods of Good Luck brought with them a sack of Myriad Treasures: items to ensure prosperity, long life and good fortune.
Among the treasures depicted here are: coral branches, rhinoceros horns, Daikoku’s magic mallet, the key to the Storehouse of the Gods, the hat and raincoat of invisibility, the purse of endless riches, and the wish-granting gem.
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6303
Symbols of long life
Okimono, signed Kigyoku, 1850-1900
Elephant ivory
A woman passes the Fungus of Immortality over a deer to two boys in Chinese dress.
In ancient China people believed that a medicine made from this wild mushroom would bring long life. Deer were thought to live a long life, and were believed to be the only animal that could find the Fungus of Immortality.
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6119
Okame mask
Netsuke, signed Gyokuzan, 1830-1860
Boxwood
Okame, the goddess of mirth, is often depicted with large cheeks and a joyful smile.
She is also known as Otafuku, which translates to ‘much good fortune’. She is often shown with Hyottoko, a god of wind, or Fukusuke, a male companion who also represents happiness and good luck.
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6206
Hannya mask
Netsuke, unsigned, about 1900
Elephant ivory, jet, abalone shell
This netsuke shows the demon Hannya, whose face appears in the noh plays Aoi no Ue and Dōjōji.
The Hannya mask portrays the souls of women who have become so jealous and obsessed that they take on the features of a demon, including its horns.
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6165
Fukurokuju
Netsuke, signed Tomochika, 1820-1873
Ivory
Fukurokuju is a god of wisdom and longevity and one of the Seven Gods of Good Luck.
Fukurokuju wears the robes of a Chinese scholar and carries a Chinese fan. He is usually shown with an extra-large forehead. He is often accompanied by a stork or a deer, animals associated with long-life.
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6190
Mask of Ebisu
Netsuke, signed Dōshōsai, 1845-1884
Ivory
This mask netsuke shows the chubby, smiling face of the fisherman Ebisu, one of the Seven Gods of Good Luck.
Ebisu is the patron of fishermen and working people. He symbolises safe sailing and plentiful fishing as well as prosperity in business.
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6191
Hotei
Netsuke, unsigned, about 1800
Ivory
Hotei, one of the Seven Gods of Good Luck, is a god of happiness and abundance.
He is shown as a smiling monk with a fat belly, carrying a large bag filled with treasures. People believed he could help safeguard children, who can sometimes be seen tumbling out of his sack.
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6278
Daruma
Netsuke, unsigned, 1800-1860
Boxwood, sperm whale ivory
Daruma or Bodhidharma was an Indian priest, who brought Zen Buddhism to China about 1500 years ago.
Netsuke carvers often showed Daruma meditating wearing the red robe of a high-ranking priest. In Japan, red and white Daruma dolls made of papier-mâché are symbols of persistence and good luck.
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6277
Demon with pliers
Netsuke, unsigned, 1870-1900
Whale ivory, jet, jade
This demon crouching by a large pair of pliers refers to the Japanese saying: ‘if you lie, Lord Emma, the King of Hell, will pull out your tongue’.
This demon is likely to be Lord Emma’s assistant and not the King himself, who is usually seen wearing the robes of Chinese judge and a hat with the Chinese character for ‘king’.
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6279
Demons pelted with beans
Okimono, unsigned, 1875-1900
Sperm whale ivory, jet, jade
Three demons wince in pain as they are pelted with dried soybeans.
People scatter dried beans in February at the festival of Setsubun as part of an annual ritual to cleanse away evil from the old year and wish for good health in the year to come. This is performed while shouting ‘Demons out! Luck in!’ (Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!).
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6043
Daikoku Chiselling a Mask
Netsuke, signed Hidechika-to, 1800-1850
Ivory
Daikoku, one of the Seven Lucky Gods, chisels out the nostril of a long-nosed mask using his magic mallet.
People thought that Daikoku could grant wishes if he tapped his magic mallet.
What would you wish for by tapping Daikoku’s magic mallet?
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6069
Ebisu with a Sea Bream
Netsuke, unsigned, 1870-1900
Walrus tusk ivory
Ebisu, one of the Seven Lucky Gods, holds a large sea bream.
In Japan, sea bream are fish for celebration because their name, tai, sounds similar to omede-tai, which means ‘happy’.
What food do you eat at a celebration?
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6097
Hotei sleeping
Netsuke, signed but illegible, about 1900
Ivory, red coral, maple wood, gold paint, abalone shell
This netsuke shows Hotei, one of the Seven Gods of Good Luck, asleep in his treasure bag.
Some people said that instead of treasures, his bag is full of burdens and frustrations. However, Hotei can bundle up these problems and put them to one side; the reason he is able to stay so happy!
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6156
Yawning Daruma
Netsuke, unsigned, 1800-1900
Boxwood, ivory
According to legend, the monk Daruma meditated for nine whole years without a break.
No wonder he was tired – look at his big yawn!
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6228
Demon reading and combing his hair
Okimono, signed Kobun, 1870-1900
Elephant ivory
A demon combs his hair while holding an open book on his lap.
In Japan people believed that combs had magical properties and that they contained the spirits of their owners. Anyone picking up a discarded comb risked being transformed into the previous owner.
Who do you think this demon is trying to turn into?
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6218
Shoki, the demon queller
Netsuke, unsigned, 1750-1800
Ivory
This netsuke shows the god Shoki, famous for being able to get rid of demons. Images of Shoki were used as lucky charms to ward off evil spirits.
How many demon netsuke can you spot for Shoki to hunt?
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6070
