Kappa and toad hand-wrestling on a leaf by Suzuki Masanao

Kappa and toad hand-wrestling on a leaf c. 19th century

3d sculpting

sculpture

textured

japan

sculptural image

possibly oil pastel

unrealistic statue

portrait head and shoulder

sculpting

charcoal

nature closeup

This 19th-century netsuke, a small, intricately carved sculpture, depicts a kappa, a Japanese water imp, and a toad engaged in a playful hand-wrestling match on a leaf. Created by Suzuki Masanao, a prominent netsuke carver, this work demonstrates the artist's skill in capturing the dynamic and humorous interaction between the two figures. The intricate details, including the kappa’s shell and the toad’s bumpy skin, reveal Masanao's mastery of wood carving. The netsuke, a traditional Japanese art form, was originally used as a toggle for holding items to a sash. Today, these small sculptures are admired for their craftsmanship and artistic merit.

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minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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A netsuke is a toggle or end piece that anchors a braided silk cord to the cloth sash of a kimono, a garment once commonly worn by Japanese men. Because kimonos had no pockets, personal belongings such as money, tobacco, or medicines were carried in small pouches and decorative lacquered cases (inro) attached to a cord which was suspended from the kimono's sash. Netsuke served both a practical and decorative function. Most netsuke featured intricate designs carved from ivory or boxwood, an art form which developed over many centuries and continues to the present day. Animals, both real and imaginary were common motifs for netsuke. In this whimsical example from the late nineteenth century, the mythological kappa or "boy of the river" engages a toad in hand wrestling. The kappa is a type of water sprite who despite its small size, can cause serious harm to humans, but is usually just mischievous. They possess a body of a turtle, limbs of a frog, and the head of a monkey or bird. A cup or depression on their heads holds a small amount of water, which allows the kappa to briefly leave the rivers they inhabit. If the water spills, the kappa will lose its power.