Netsuke toggle, carved of ivory, showing a group of Noh masks: three on one side and four on the other [L.Ph 'DCF 2004-2006 What's Upstairs?' 5/4/2005]

Collection type: Object
Description: Netsuke toggle, carved of ivory, showing a group of Noh masks: three on one side and four on the other [L.Ph 'DCF 2004-2006 What's Upstairs?' 5/4/2005]
Geographical reference: Japan
Asia > Eastern Asia > Japan
Cultural groups: Japanese
Person: Maker Rakuosai (Rakusai); Field collector John Norman Collie; PRM source Hermann Arthur Gunther; PRM source Albert Everard Gunther
Date / Period: Date made: Before 1921
Date collected: By 1921
Acquisition information: Loaned: 1944 Donated: 1980
Materials and processes: Material Elephant Tooth Ivory Animal, Material Pigment, Process Carved, Process Perforated, Process Decorated, Process Inscribed, Process Painted
Dimensions: Width: max 32 mm, Length: max 36 mm
Object numbers: Accession number: 1980.34.271
Research and responses: Kitsune is a fox, Shishi is a lion.
Hannya is a Noh mask expressing jealousy, grudge, sorrow and grief of women. See http://www.the-noh.com/sub/jp/index.php?mode=db&action=e_view_detail&data_id=11&class_id=1.
Okame, also known as Uzume or Ama no Uzume no Mikoto, is the Goddess of Mirth, who helped to get Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess, out of the cave into which she had retired. 'She is an extremely common type in Japanese art, with puffed-out cheeks and an everlastingly smiling face, small mouth, narrow forehead with two ornamental black spots, the hair brought in two bandeaux over the temples.' (Henri L. Joly, Legend in Japanese Art, London 1908, p. 383)
Saru is a monkey.
Shojo is a Noh mask of a spirit that lives in the sea and loves drinking. See http://www.the-noh.com/sub/jp/index.php?mode=db&action=e_view_detail&data_id=41&class_id=1. [El.B 03/02/2012]

Search terms: Ornament, Clothing, Figure, Mask, Writing, Music, Toggle, Inscription, Animal Figure, Musical Instrument