Thoughts on Netsuke

[hddennis]

Just bought this netsuke and would appreciate thought on what it depicts. It was listed as a dragon face but I wonder could it be an Oni?

 

Thanks for any responses.

 

Howard Dennis

 

[Jake6500]

13 hours ago, hddennis said:

Just bought this netsuke and would appreciate thought on what it depicts. It was listed as a dragon face but I wonder could it be an Oni?

 

Thanks for any responses.

 

Howard Dennis

 

 

Hi Howard,

 

Not an expert on Netsuke but this DEFINITELY looks like a Shishi Lion to me.

 

The lion was a symbol in Chinese and Japanese Shinto culture and is often seen on Tosogu such as Tsuba. In Japan these were called "komainu" and in english they're often referred to as "lion dogs". This one has a particularly fierce expression.

 

I have also seen other lion Netsuke before. It is a pretty common iconography for Netsuke (that much, I know). 

Statues of Komainu were often erected at shrines to ward off evil spirits, which I'd like to imagine might have been the purpose of this netsuke with its fierce expression.

 

A few basic links with some more information:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komainu

https://en.wikipedia...inese_guardian_lions

 

Bonus for the statues (the third picture in this link is a good one for visual comparison):

https://www.Japan-ex...anding-Japan/komainu

 

A couple pictures of other lion Netsuke:

 

 

 

This last picture really exemplifies the similarities with your Netsuke. Notice the teeth/mouth shape, nose shape and eyes. What I find interesting and different about your Netsuke is the pattern of the hair/fur, which is perhaps a little different. Presumably the artist wanted to add to the ferocity of the piece by deviating from the usual spiral pattern more typical of these pieces.

 

 

[hddennis]

Jake, Thank you so much for this response. It's a direction I didn't even think of. Will enjoy more research thanks to you.

 

Howard Dennis

[Jake6500]

Glad to have helped Howard! 

 

I very much like the piece you've picked up and think it'd be a great addition to a cultural collection.

[Bugyotsuji]

獅噛 - 検索 画像 (bing.com)

It looks like a more modern blend of lion and shishi features, with a touch of komainu, yes, but the sideways-pointing fangs also indicate a 獅噛 Shikami. Possibly late 1800s Asakusa Netsuke?

[hddennis]

Jake and Piers,

Thanks for your responses. Any guess as to what the back depicts?

 

Howard Dennis

[ROKUJURO]

Looks more like a tiger on an OJIME to me.

[Bugyotsuji]

An Ojimé is smaller and acts by sliding on two or more strings to pull them together, Jean. Usually with a vertical central passage.

The size here has not been given, but it looks like a kagamibuta Netsuké, around 4~5 cm across, made of stag antler with a shinchū brass plate and ring fitment. As I say I think it is younger than the Edo Period but I rather like it. 

[hddennis]

Seller listed diameter at 4.5 cm.

 

Howard Dennis

[Jake6500]

On 7/4/2024 at 6:17 AM, hddennis said:

Jake and Piers,

Thanks for your responses. Any guess as to what the back depicts?

 

Howard Dennis

 

The back I am a lot less sure about but if I had to take a stab, maybe Inari? 

 

The long face of the animal on the back reminds me of the face of Inari (fox) statues at Japanese Inari shrines.

 

 

 

Komainu and Inari are both common at shrines so this would be my best guess. Maybe this Netsuke relates to Okinawan Shisa?

 

The Shisa in Okinawa were related to both Komainu and Inari, and this might account for the similar but slightly different presentation of the Komainu/Lion on the front.

 

If so, I like it even more!

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shisa

 

EDIT: Forgot to mention, Okinawan/Ryukyuan Shisa generally come in mouth open, mouth closed pairs. If this Netsuke really is of a Ryukyuan Shisa, it might suggest that it originally came in a pair with another depicting a Shisa with mouth closed. Though, you probably would have seen that information in the link! Kitsune (fox) Inari typically also come in pairs so this might make sense.

 

 

[hddennis]

Thanks Jake, for posting this I never would have gone in this direction without your suggestion which seems highly likely.

 

Howard Dennis