An octopus beaten by two men
Category
Ivory and bone
Date
circa 1850 - circa 1900
Materials
Ivory and black coral
Measurements
97 mm (Height); 90 mm (Diameter)
Place of origin
Japan
Order this imageCollection
Coleton Fishacre, Devon
NT 85101
Summary
Ivory and coral, netsuke, an octopus being beaten by two men, Japanese, 19th century. A katabori-netsuke or 'sculpture-netsuke' carved of ivory depicting an octopus with a giant head with eyes of black coral. The octopus is on a rock made of white coral or possibly ivory pitted to look like rock; the octopus has coiled its tentacles around its head to protect itself from being beaten by two men wielding staffs.
Full description
Miniature sculptures, netsuke are in fact toggles used in Japan to fasten Inrō (containers or pouches) to sashes on their garments. Despite their utilitarian function netsuke were carved to delight their wearer, and soon were regarded as artistic objects in their own right. The subjects they depict are taken from Japanese myth, legend and everyday life, often interpreted with great finesse, imagination and humor. As fish, shellfish and octopus are staple foods of Japan sea creatures are depicted in netsuke, with octopi sometimes employed to represent Ryūjin, the dragon-god of the sea, or Yakushi, the Buddha of healing.