Netsuke of Dragon Coiled around the Body of a Man
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Wood; inlaid glass eyes
Dimensions
H. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm); W. 1 1/8 in. (2.9 cm); D. 3/8 in. (1 cm)
Classification
Netsuke
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo (1615–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Stephen Whitney Phoenix, 1881
Accession Number
81.1.120
Tags
Art Historical Context
This intricate netsuke, carved from wood in 19th-century Japan during the late Edo (1615–1868) or early Meiji (1868–1912) period, exemplifies the artistry of these tiny toggles. Netsuke served a practical purpose: securing inro (small medicine or tobacco pouches) to kimono sashes, as traditional Japanese attire lacked pockets. Prized for their whimsy and skill, they evolved from utilitarian objects into collectible sculptures, reflecting everyday life, folklore, and nature. Here, a fierce dragon coils dynamically around a man's body, capturing a mythical encounter with vivid tension. The unkn...