netsuke

netsuke , 1800s

Where object was made: Japan

Material/technique: ivory

Credit line: Gift of James F. Ranson

Accession number: 1989.0127

Not on display

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Label texts

Exhibition Label:
"The Art of Stories Told," Jun-2004, Veronica de Jong
These two objects (see also 1928.0031) share a motif popular in both China and Japan - the fox. This creature was considered a cunning animal able to transform itself into human form and fool the gullible. Foxes were believed to subdue harmful spirits, so shrines were built to them. They were also thought to be souls of the dead when seen roaming ceneteries, and believed to be messengers of the Japanese deity Inari.

Many tales focus on the fox's supposed ?ness and its ability to change into a beautiful woman. According to one story, a fox-woman fell in love with a good man and they married. They had a family together and lived happily for several years, but the fox-woman could not remain human forever, so one evening while her family selpt she said boodbye and never returned in human form. She revisited as a fox, though, watching and guarding her home. It is possible that the scene represented on this inro (a case worn from a man's waistband) depicts this tale. The individaul netsuke of a fox in clothing may represent a fox-woman.