Netsuke

The netzuke was originally a simple wooden toggle with two holes that were used to attach cords. Their shapes and motifs gradually became increasingly developed. Skilled sculptors and artisans developed the netsuke from a simple utility object to an art object. According to legend, the Japanese islands rest on a giant fish, Namazu, whose over enthusiastic movements cause devastating earthquakes. This netsuke shows the god Kadori Myojin as a monkey riding on Namazu. To prevent catastrophes, the tries to keep the restless fish calm with the help of a magic kurbits.