Netsuke: 'Sashi' type, ceramic, glazed. Figure w/ human body and face of a fox ('kitsune'). Clothing depicted by black glaze, and white crackled glaze for hood. Face and paws not glazed. Clothing is either of woman or itinerant priest. Holds yellow staff. Cord hole on back; hole on bottom. Chips in base. H. 14 cm.
Donor:
Design Department (UC Berkeley)
Collection place:
Japan
Verbatim coll. place:
Japan
Culture or time period:
Japanese
Collector:
Albert M. Bender
Collection date:
before 1933
Materials:
Ceramic (material)
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Netsukes
Function:
2.2 Personal Adornments and Accoutrements
Accession date:
1974
Context of use:
Toggle to be attached to the end of a cord and thrust through the sash of a kimono for the support of a purse, pouch, or lacquer box. ('sagemon') The fox ('kitsune') is a common subject in Japanese folklore and is often depicted. It is considered an evil treacherous animal capable of supernatural powers, such as assuming the guise of women, priests, etc. and often harrasses men.