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... 

A 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

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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！

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