Netsuke of Woman Bathing
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Ivory
Dimensions
H. 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm); W. 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm); D. 7/8 in. (2.2 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
Gift of Mrs. Russell Sage, 1910
Accession Number
10.211.269
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite netsuke, titled *Woman Bathing*, is a masterful example of 19th-century Japanese craftsmanship from the late Edo (1615–1868) or Meiji (1868–1912) period.ved from ivory, it measures just 1⅜ inches high, embodying the netsuke's role as a practical yet artistic toggle. Worn on cords to secure inro pouches to kimono sashes—since traditional Japanese garments lacked pockets—these tiny sculptures doubled as wearable art, showcasing scenes from daily life, nature, and folklore. The intimate depiction of a woman bathing, accompanied by animals, captures a playful moment of vulnerabilit...