A RARE BAMBOO NETSUKE OF A MOKUGYO YOKAI

A RARE BAMBOO NETSUKE OF A MOKUGYO YOKAI
Unsigned
Japan, 20th century
Finely carved as the tsukumogami (animate household object) of a mokugyo temple bell with a large, curved handle and swirling curls underneath, the front formed as a monster head with floppy ears, furrowed brows and broad nose. The hollowed bell makes the appropriate sound when struck. Natural himotoshi through the handle.
HEIGHT 5.5 cm
Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance:
Collection Gabor Orszagh, Budapest, Hungary, purchased from Michael Strone.
This netsuke is likely inspired by the Tsukumogami Emaki, (Illustrated Scroll of Animated Utensils, 16th century) which features as its protagonists a band of used utensils that have turned into monsters (yokai). This work belongs to a genre of such tales composed between the 14th and 16th centuries, known as otogi-zoshi, or Muromachi tales. The Tsukumogami Emaki also inspired the famous Night Parade of One Hundred Demons by Kawanabe Kyosai.
Tsukumogami are animate household objects. After a service life of nearly one hundred years, utsuwamono or kibutsu (containers, tools, and instruments) receive souls (kami).