{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O492580"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O492580/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2020MN6108/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2020MN6108/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2020MN6108","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O492580/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O492580","accessionNumber":"A.822-1910","objectType":"Netsuke","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"The netsuke is a toggle. Japanese men used netsuke to suspend various pouches and containers from their sashes by a silk cord. Netsuke had to be small and not too heavy, yet bulky enough to do the job. They needed to be compact with no sharp protruding edges, yet also strong and hardwearing. Above all they had to have the means of attaching the cord. In this example, there are a pair of holes (<i>himotoshi</i>) on the bottom of the sandal.  Although netsuke were made in a variety of forms, the most widely appreciated is the <i>katabori </i>(shape carving). This is a three-dimensional carving, such as this netsuke of a fox on a cloud. \n\nThe fox in Japanese mythology and folklore is both the God Inari of rice and crop protection as well as a mischievous ambivalent creature that could shape shift into human form. This netsuke depicts the God Inari walking above the clouds and could possibly have been worn as a good luck charm either for success in agriculture or fertility. \n\nFrom the 18<sup>th</sup> century onwards, many more makers signed their netsukes. This example is signed Shoju.    ","physicalDescription":"Netsuke in wood of a fox on cloud, signed by Shoju","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Shoju","id":"A36805"},"association":{"text":"maker","id":"x40240"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"wood","id":"AAT11914"}],"techniques":[{"text":"carving","id":"AAT53149"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Carved wood","categories":[{"text":"Accessories","id":"THES48998"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"EAS","id":"THES48596"},"images":["2020MN6108"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"004","id":"THES367103"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Netsuke","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Japan","id":"x29399"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"mid 18th century","earliest":"1725-01-01","latest":"1775-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Salting Bequest","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"3.81","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Length","value":"3.49","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Signed Shoju"}],"objectHistory":"Bequeathed by Mr. George Salting, accessioned in 1910. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project.","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Netsuke, wood, fox on cloud, signed Shoju, mid 18<sup>th</sup> century, Japan ","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"fox, inari, cloud, gohei (wand)","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["A.822-1910"],"accessionNumberNum":"822","accessionNumberPrefix":"A","accessionYear":1910,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-08-18","recordCreationDate":"2009-06-25","availableToBook":true}}