M0004145: Two wooden Netsuke of masseurs massaging a man's head and a man's shoulders

Previous title, replaced May 2020: Wood masseur operating on another's head.

Previous title, replaced May 2020: Lacquered wood, masseurs operating on shoulders and back.

Photograph of two netsuke. One is of a masseur giving a man a head massage. It is signed by Minko. The other is of a masseur giving a man a shoulder massage. Netsuke are ornaments worn with a Kimono. The Netsuke is tied a silk bag hidden behind the sash for belongings. They were especially popular during the Tokugawa period (1603–1868) and are seen by many as fine works of miniature art. These Netsuke are from Doctor Hermann Gunther's collection of Netsuke. The first one can be found at the History of Science Museum under the inventory number 49053.

23 January 1935

1 photograph glass plate negative; 12 x 16 cm

Copyright is held by Wellcome Collection

Catalogue data comes from a combination of entries in the original glass plate registers, metadata created when the glass plates were digitised in the early 2000s and enhancements made by the cataloguer in 2021.

Please consult the digitised version as this item is fragile. Email library@wellcomecollection.org to request access to the physical item.