Netsuke "Kappa and Clam" 河童蛤角彫根付

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

This is a netsuke "Kappa and Clam" at the Tokyo National Museum. It's 4 to 5 cm long, carved from ivory in the 19th century. The carver is unknown. 

Size-wise, this netsuke is wrong because the clam is too large or the kappa is too small. Kappa, which are Japanese legendary creatures, are human-like beings except that they're green with webbed hands and feet, a turtle-like carapace on their back, and a dish to contain water on their head. They're said to die if the dish dries or is broken. They're also said to like cucumbers🥒, but this kappa must like clams better than cucumbers... 

netsuke is a small carved ornament, especially of ivory or wood, worn as part of Japanese traditional dress as a toggle by which an article may be attached to the sash of a kimono (Source: Lexico). If you love netsuke, see this list to see dozens of netsuke items!

Netsuke "Kappa and Clam"  河童蛤角彫根付


(If you wish to post your comment but don't have a Google account, select "anonymous" from the drop down menu titled "comment as"!)

東京国立博物館に展示されていた「河童蛤角彫根付」です。象牙製で19世紀作です。それにしてもサイズ感がおかしい。。。 このカッパ、ちっちゃすぎるでしょ。しかも胡瓜じゃなくて蛤のこと、そんなに好きなのね。。。

根付お好きな方はこちらのリストもどうぞご覧ください!

(Google アカウントを持ってない方は、コメント記入後に「Google アカウント」をクリックし、「匿名」か「名前/URL」を選択してからご記入ください!)

0 件のコメント:

コメントを投稿

Female Scarlet Skimmer (Crocothemis Servilia) ショウジョウトンボ(猩々蜻蛉)

英語の後に日本語が続きます。 This is a female scarlet skimmer (ruddy marsh skimmer or Crocothemis servilia), or so I believe. In contrast to its name, the...