Wooden Netsuke, Mokugyo, Percussion Instrument
Title: Wooden netsuke of a mokugyo (percussion instrument used by monks).
Artist: Unsigned
Date: 19th century
Size: (H) 3.1 cm x (W) 3.3 cm x (D) 2.1 cm
Original Japanese antique.
Netsuke were practical fashion accessories worn by Japanese men of the Edo period (1615-1868). Kimono has no pockets, and only women's garments had places in the sleeve to keep small objects. In contrast, men would carry their personal accessories by hanging them from the sash wrapped around their waist. Netsuke would therefore act as a 'toggle' that kept the sash hanging by preventing it from slipping.
Like many other art forms, netsuke reflect the nature of the society that produced them, displaying every aspect of Japanese culture, including its rich folklore and religion, crafts, trades, and professions, all types of people and creatures, both real and imagined, and every kind of object.
| Dimensions | (H) 3.1 cm x (W) 3.3 cm x (D) 2.1 cm |
|---|---|
| Condition Report | The item is well-worn, with external areas showing aged wood patina. Some dust residue. Very light indentations. |
| Subject | Ghosts & Religion |
| Product Date | 19th century |
