M0004141EA: Netsuke of blind musician with Biwa strapped to his back / M0004141EB: Netsuke of a man receiving a massage on his right shoulder

Previous title, replaced May 2020: Wood blindman musician with Biwa strapped to his back.

Photograph of two wooden Netsuke. One is of a blind musician with a Biwa strapped to his back. The other is of a man receiving a massage on his shoulder from the masseur's elbow. 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. They can be found at the History of Science Museum, the first one under the inventory number 47924.

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.