hairpin (kanzashi) with turtle, unknown maker from Japan

Artwork Overview

hairpin (kanzashi) with turtle
hairpin (kanzashi) with turtle
hairpin (kanzashi) with turtle
Edo period (1600–1868)
hairpin (kanzashi) with turtle , Edo period (1600–1868)
Where object was made: Japan
Material/technique: coral; silver; gold
Dimensions:
Object Length/Width/Depth (Length x Width x Depth): 18.5 x 3.5 x 1.7 cm
Object Length/Width/Depth (Length x Width x Depth): 1 3/8 x 7 5/16 x 0 11/16 in
Credit line: William Bridges Thayer Memorial
Accession number: 1928.0251
On display: Michaelis Gallery
Add to portfolio

If you wish to reproduce this image, please submit an image request

Images

Label texts

Archive Label 2003: Kanzashi are ornamental hairpins that were worn by courtesans in the late Edo period. This kanzashi is decorated with a tortoise, a symbol that, in Daoist belief, stood for long life. Under this belief tortoises live to an extraordinary old age at which point they develop flowing white tails and exhale special vapors that conjure up sacred jewels. The flowing tail of the tortoise on this hairpin signifies this creature’s symbolic status.