Marvellous tales
Japanese culture is rich in stories, from folk tales which explore the natural world to legends based on historical events.
Customers in Japan would enjoy choosing which tales to have carved on their netsuke. It is harder for people who haven’t grown up in Japan to identify the stories and to understand their original meanings.
Oniwakamaru killing the giant carp
Netsuke, signed Kikugawa School, 1840-1860
Ivory
Oniwakamaru or ‘young devil child’ was the nickname given to the young warrior monk Musashibō Benkei (1155-1189) because of his enormous strength and violent nature.
This netsuke shows the young boy attacking and slaying the giant red carp that swallowed his mother.
Circular netsuke are called manjū netsuke after rice cakes of the same shape.
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6153
The Clam’s Dream
Netsuke, signed Masamine, 1850-1900
Ivory
This palace rising out of the sea comes from a Chinese story, The Clam’s Dream.
It tells of a giant clam that can cause mirages at sea and turn itself into a dragon.
In Japanese versions of the story, this dragon god is called Ryūjin who lives with his beautiful daughter in an underwater palace.
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6223
Octopus wrestle
Netsuke, signed Homin, 1850-1900
Ivory
Octopuses of all sizes live in the sea around Japan and people like to eat them as a treat.
There are stories of people being attacked by these strong and clever animals. Octopuses have sharp beaks, which they use to eat other sea creatures.
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6124
Jō and Uba
Netsuke, inscribed Takasago, 1800-1900
Boxwood
A carved wooden pinecone opens up to reveal Jō and Uba, an elderly couple said to be the guardians of the pine groves at Takasago.
Jō rakes the pine needles to ensure marital longevity while his wife Uba sweeps away evil spirits. The couple is said to bring good luck to a marriage.
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6245
The Lucky Tea Kettle
Okimono, signed Dōraku, 1880-1900
Sperm whale ivory
This particular netsuke has a rather bushy tale to tell…
Once upon a time, a priest bought a kettle. One day, he boiled the kettle by hanging it over a hot, toasty fire. To his surprise the kettle sprouted a furry tail, a badger head and four little paws and ran around the room. The kettle had turned into a tanuki, a Japanese badger!
The same thing has happened to this woman – no wonder she looks surprised…
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6041
Boy riding a shell
Netsuke, signed but illegible, 1800-1900
Sperm whale ivory
A boy in Chinese dress clings on the back of a clamshell, from which a crab emerges.
How many other netsuke can you find that look as if they come from the sea?
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6171
Dragging a large shell
Okimono, signed Ichigyoku, 1800-1900
Ivory
Conch shells were used as trumpets to gather troops in war.
Can you do your best impression of trumpeting a shell?
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6115