Allen County Museum
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Netsuke: In 17th century Japan, men wore robes called kimonos or kosodes. These garments did not have pockets and so personal items, such as money, or pipes and tobacco, were carried in special pouches, baskets, or boxes that were suspended by cords from a sash around the waist. The netsuke, (pronounced “netskeh”) was a fastener – similar to a button-like toggle – that secured the cords of the purse to the sash. Over time, netsukes became important artistic forms and were carved from wood, ivory, porcelain, and other materials. Netsukes depicted many forms including animals, plants, gods and mythical creatures. The carved-wood netsukes in this picture depict Japanese masks.
Can you think of another collection at the Allen County Museum that shares similarities with netsukes? (Hint: the collection was donated by Bertha Beam)
