Japanese netsuke in the form of an Oni mask

 
Japanese netsuke in the form of an Oni mask
 
Country of origin: Japan
 
Material: Boxwood (Buxus sp.)
 
Maker: not signed
 
Age: 19th century
 
Condition: Excellent with a lovely patina
 
Comments:
A netsuke is a toggle used at one end of the cord which is hung over the obi (waistband). The other end of the cord has an inro (a small tiered storage container for medicine, money, etc) and the netsuke serves to stop the cord and the inro from slipping through the obi.
An Oni is a traditional ogre known from various Japanese fairy tales and is depicted with horns on his head. Oni appear in numerous cultural practices and traditions, festivals and stories.
 
Stock no: F273
 
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