Netsuke "Kappa" 根付「河童」

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

This is a netsuke of a kappa by Kenji Abe at the Tokyo National Museum. It is about 5 cm tall and carved from ivory and tortoiseshell.

Kappa are Japanese legendary creatures. They are green, human-like beings with webbed hands and feet, a turtle-like carapace on their backs, and a water-holding dish on their heads—though a carved netsuke might be cream-white if made from ivory. They are said to die if the dish dries out or breaks, and they are famously fond of cucumbers.

The kappa is the corporate mascot of a sake brewery in Kyoto. I planned to go to their restaurant, Kizakura Kappa Country, this past summer, but I had to cancel the trip because of rising Covid-19 cases 😂.

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, check out this list of dozens of items!

Netsuke "Kappa" by Kenji Abe　阿部賢次作「河童」

Netsuke "Kappa" by Kenji Abe　阿部賢次作「河童」

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阿部賢次作「河童」（東京国立博物館）です。です。象牙と鼈甲でできています。今年は3年ぶりに旅行に行こうと思い、目的地の一つが黄桜カッパカントリーでした！でもコロナ感染者数急増で結局キャンセル｡｡｡ がっかりです😂。

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