Netsuke of Man Carrying Basket of Fish

Art Historical Context

This delightful wooden netsuke, carved in 19th-century Japan during the late Edo (1615–1868) or early Me (1868–1912) period, captures a humble fisherman carrying a basket brimming with fish. Measuring just 1 3/4 inches tall, its compact size belies the artist's masterful detail—evident in the textured scales, woven basketry, and dynamic pose of the man, frozen mid-stride. Netsuke were essential accessories in traditional Japanese dress, serving as toggles to secure inro (small lacquered medicine cases or pouches) to silk kimono sashes, as belts were absent. Crafted from wood, this example sho...