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- usually round, but sometimes square or oval, that resembles the shape of a rice cake called manju and is often made of two ivory halves. Less common types include: ryusa, a variety of manju, often with designs of flowers and birds made popular by the artist Ryusa; ichiraku, often a gourd shaped netsuke made of braided or woven material like bamboo, cane or wire; and kurawdt, known as ashtray netsuke after their actual use by smokers.
netsuke of Pegasus, signed Tanetoshi, contemporary Japanese � netsuke, Pegase, signe Tanetoshi, japonais contemporain � ivory, silver and gold paint, wood, amber, jade, horn � Gift of the Lewis and Ruth Sherman Foundation, AGGV 2007.016.086
Because of its specific small size, there were limitations to how elaborately netsuke could be carved, netsuke are generally about four centimetres in size, but may vary between two to nine centimetres, and occasionally are larger. As far as netsuke subjects, everyday activities of Edo Japan's various social classes were portrayed, often in a whimsical manner including scenes of monks meditating, pipe smoking, drinking tea, playing games, or performing daily tasks, as well as foreign traders in Western costume. All types of people, real or imaginary, famous or common, old to young, gods and demons, historical to contemporary, foreign or domestic, were ingeniously depicted. Occasionally, sexual themes were also portrayed. Many of the human figures were based on Chinese and Japanese folklore or religious legends, including the sennin, legendary hermits, Zhong Kui (Shoki) the demon queller, Bodhidarma (Daruma), the Indian Buddhist saint who founded Chan (Zen), and the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. Among the most popular animal subjects were the twelve zodiac animals, sea creatures, birds, magical animals like the fox and badger, mythical beasts like the dragon, kirin (an auspicious beast usually with one horn, sometimes referred to as a unicorn), baku (eaters of nightmares), oni (demons), kappa (impish creatures with webbed hands and feet), tengu (goblins of the forest) and shishi (lion- dogs), as well as reptiles and bugs. Plants such as chestnuts, mushrooms, flowers and various fruits and vegetables were common themes. Non�living subjects included coins, tools, toys, household objects, musical instruments, and roof tiles. There was also a liking for anything quaint, odd, grotesque or macabre, like human skulls.
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