M0004084: Oval kagamibuta decorated with an image of Ikkyu

Previous title, replaced May 2020: Kagamibuta, oval and carved on a transversal axis.

Photograph of an oval kagamibuta carved on a transversal axis in an ivory frame. Decorated with an image of the Japanese Zen Buddhist monk Ikkyu holding up a skull suspended by a cord. Kagamibuta are types of netsuke with a lid. 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. This item is part of Doctor Hermann Gunther's collection of Netsuke.

24 October 1934

1 photograph glass plate negative; 21.5 x 16.5 cm

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.

This item is fragile. Email library@wellcomecollection.org to request access to the physical item.