Creatures from Japanese myths and legends were popular subjects for netsuke.
Many had special powers. The baku could eat dreams whilst the ‘Chinese lions’ guarding temples could scare demons away.
There were many stories of trickster creatures such as foxes and raccoon dogs (tanuki) that could transform themselves from one thing to another. Other tales told of supernatural beings that lived in the woods or near water.
This mythical creature has an elephant’s trunk, the eyes of a rhinoceros, an ox’s tail and a tiger’s feet.
Japanese people believed that baku ate dreams and could prevent nightmares. They called on them for protection by calling out ‘eat it baku!’ (baku kurai) and painted the word baku on headrests to ensure a dreamless sleep.
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6283
Tanuki in monk’s robes
Netsuke, unsigned, 1850-1900
Walrus tusk ivory, jet
The tanuki is a real badger-like racoon native to Japan. However, Japanese myths tell of tanuki with extraordinary powers.
Stories describe mischievous tricksters who can shape-shift into objects as well as into human form.
There are tales of tanuki playing practical jokes on humans, using disguises to waylay, deceive, or annoy them. Here a tanuki disguises itself as a Buddhist monk.
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6128
Konoha tengu
Netsuke, unsigned, 1850-1900
Walrus tooth
Tengu (‘sky-dogs’) are legendary creatures with features of both humans and birds.
This netsuke is of the konoha (leafy) tengu, which has more human features but an extra-long nose. The karasu (crow) tengu on the other hand is more bird than human, with the beak, claws and wings of a bird.
Bequeathed by A. E. Horrocks, 1961
N6880
‘Chinese lion’ (karashishi)
Netsuke, signed Gyokuzan, 1800-1900
Sperm whale ivory, jet
Pairs of lion statues guard the entrances of temples and shrines across Japan. The carvers would not have seen real lions and used designs from Chinese art where the animals have curly manes like Pekingese dogs.
The ‘Chinese lion’ on the right of an entrance is called a karashishi, and has an open mouth to scare demons away. Often karashishi hold a ball in their feet, representing a wish-granting jewel.
In this lion’s mouth of this carving is an even smaller ball, which appears and disappears when the netsuke is moved.
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6284
A fox (kitsune) in disguise
Netsuke, signed Tomokazu, 1850-1900
Ivory
In Japanese folklore kitsune are foxes believed to very clever, with magical powers and the gift of long life.
Stories tell of foxes shape-shifting into beautiful women and playing tricks on arrogant samurai warriors, greedy merchants, and boastful commoners.
This carving shows a fox-woman beside a samurai who does not seem to have noticed the true identity of his companion.
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6237
Tengu mask in a bundle
Netsuke, signed Tomomasa, 1800-1830
Ivory
A mask depicting a long-nosed konoha (leafy) tengu lies half- bundled in cloth.
A tengu mask like this one appears in the noh play The Tengu of Kurama. The Great Tengu of Mount Kurama, disguised as a priest, teaches martial arts to the young hero Ushiwakamaru (1159-1189).
Ushiwakamaru was the younger half-brother of Japan’s first Shōgun (military dictator), Minamoto no Yoritomo (1192-1199).
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6105
Kirin
Netsuke, signed Tomomitsu, 1750-1800
Sperm whale ivory
This mythical creature, a kirin, was said to be a lucky omen if you saw one. But what kind of animal is it?
People said that the kirin had parts of a dragon, a deer, a horse and a lion.
Can you work out which bits are which?
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6285
Kappa
Netsuke, signed Masakazu-to, 1800-1830
Narwhal tusk ivory
This little fellow is a kappa, a mythical river-dwelling water sprite. It has a saucer-shaped hollow on top of its head filled with a fluid that makes it fierce and stubborn.
If you ever come across a kappa there are a couple of tricks you should know. First, you can distract it with its favourite food – some delicious cucumber!
Next, appeal to the polite nature of the kappa and do your biggest, grandest bow. The kappa will bow back, spilling the liquid from his head and draining it of its strength.
Bequeathed by N. Cooke-Hurle, 1960
N6275
A crow tengu hatching
Netsuke, signed Shumin, 1830-70
Ebony
It was said that these crow-like creatures, called karasu tengu, were responsible for kidnapping children!
Luckily this one is just a little baby, but best keep an eye on it…
