Netsuke, Tanuki bôzu, ca. 1850

Netsuke, Tanuki as a Priest

“I really like this netsuke because the combination of an animal creature and a friendly smiling priest is so skilfully depicted. I find Japanese culture super interesting anyway and Japan has been very high on my travel bucket list for a long time. Also, 'tanuki' (racoon dogs) are really cute and anyone who hasn’t seen them before should Google them right away.” Miriam Nikula, Marketing and Digital

“There is a small collection of netsuke in my family that has fascinated me since I was a child. Many of these beautiful figures are mysterious and inspire you to invent crazy stories. There is always something new to discover in the Kunstpalast’s large netsuke collection; it has never lost its appeal for me.” Birgit van de Water, until 2023 Head of Education

MediumIvory, one eye of horn

Height6,3 cm

Status

on display, room 008

About the workThis badger-like animal originates from the Japanese mythological world. The creature was said to have the ability to take on human form. Here it transforms into a priest and thus denounces the hypocrisy of monks. The small figure is a “netsuke” (toggle) and prevented small pouches and objects worn on the belt of the Japanese kimono from falling off. When choosing netsuke motifs, there were no limits to the imagination and artistic sensibility of the artists and owners.

AccessionGift of Bruno Werdelmann 2004

Provenance[...]; bis 25.10.2004 Prof. Dr. Dr. hc. Bruno Werdelmann (1920 – 2010), Ratingen; 25.10.2004 erworben durch Schenkung von Bruno Werdelmann

Inventory numberP 2005-232

Contact

sammlung@kunstpalast.de

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https://sammlung.kunstpalast.de/en/objects/52883/netsuke-tanuki-bozu

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