Craftsmen carved many netsuke in the form of animals, many of which were linked with good fortune.
Some creatures were admired for their natural qualities, for example the strength of oxen, or for appearing at times of good harvests such as rats.
In Japan’s Shintō belief system animals such as deer and monkeys were thought to be messengers of the gods. Other animals were linked to the Buddhist religion.
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
Snail on persimmons
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
Hawk on monkey
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
Frogs on skull
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
Deer
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
Rats eating
Netsuke, unsigned, 1800-1900
Ivory, jet
Three rats nibble on Japanese fruit called ‘mountain grapes’ or yamabudō. Mountain grapes and rats together are symbols of a good harvest and prosperity.
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6259
Rat in a bag
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
Abalone shell
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
Snails on a water bucket
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
Gourd with monkeys
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
Octopus grappling with a fish
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
Ox
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
Monkey with gourd
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
Bird on a hat
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
Quail on millet
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
Dog with pups
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
Crouching hare
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
Crouching tiger
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?
