Object Information
Object
- Object no:
- J 0021
- Title:
- Netsuke in shape of the twelve zodiac animals
- Creator:
- Masamitsu (正光)
Japan
- Production date:
- 1870-1890
- Material:
- Ivory (material)
- Collection:
- Japanese collection
- Document type:
- Object
- Object name:
- Netsuke
- Description:
- Netsuke in the shape of animals from the twelve zodiac, made of ivory, carved by Masamitsu in Japan during the 1870-1890s. The animals’ eyes are inlaid with dark buffalo horn. Several of the twelve zodiac animals - rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, and dog are carved into a netsuke, a toggle for a pouch or a compartmented box. Carved animals were stained to highlight the details and finishes of the surface. Masamitsu is known for netsuke carved in the shape of groups of tiny puppies or other animals. He was originally a samurai serving for Tatebayashi Akimoto who governed Jōshū, in present-day Gunma prefecture in eastern Japan. In 1868, the emperor’s rule was restored and the samurai warrior class was resolved, which led to large scale unemployment of samurai. In order to seek a new career, Masamitsu studied ivory and tusk carving in Tokyo.