netsuke, unknown maker from Japan

Exhibition Label:
“The Sacred and the Secular: Buddhist Imagery in Religious and Popular Contexts,” Oct-2005, Hillary Pedersen
Netsuke are toggles used to secure a small pouch to a man’s waistband or sash. These popular decorative objects often contained Buddhist imagery, such as the figure of Hotei, a tenth century Zen (Chan) Buddhist monk known for his eccentricity and kindness to children. He is seen here in two netsuke designs with his characteristic portly figure and smile. The skeleton netsuke is also a reference to Buddhism; it emphasizes detachment from earthly things, including the physical body. The figure here strikes a large temple bell.