Netsuke

Art Historical Context

This exquisite 18th-century netsuke from Japan's Edo period (16151868) is a example of functional art from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art collection. Craft by an unknown artist, it served as a practical toggle to secure inro (small medicine or tobacco pouches) to a kimono sash, blending everyday utility with artistic refinement. During the prosperous Edo era, netsuke became highly prized miniature sculptures, often depicting figures from daily life, folklore, or nature—here evoked by the tag "Men," suggesting lively human forms. Made of vibrant red lacquer, a technique perfected i...