{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O492601"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O492601/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2020MN5696/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2020MN5696/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2020MN5696","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O492601/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O492601","accessionNumber":"A.1042-1910","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. \r\n\nThis netsuke depicts the Japanese legend of Gama Sennin, a Chinese alchemist (Liu Hai) who learnt the power of immortality from a three-legged toad. It is made from an early plastic known as celluloid and has a seam, from where the two halves have been joined, running along the length of the piece. Celluloid was first developed in England around 1850 from a natural plant fibre and is very easy to mold and shape. It began to be manufactured in Japan during the late 19<sup>th</sup> and early 20<sup>th</sup> centuries. Often utilised as a replacement for ivory, due to its light weight and easily tinted material, celluloid was sometimes used to produce netsuke.        ","physicalDescription":"Netsuke of Gama Sennin with a toad on his shoulder in molded celluloid","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"maker","id":"x40240"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"Celluloid","id":"AAT14447"}],"techniques":[{"text":"moulding","id":"x46876"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"molded celluloid","categories":[{"text":"Accessories","id":"THES48998"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"EAS","id":"THES48596"},"images":["2020MN5696"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"032","id":"THES367131"},"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":"19th century","earliest":"1800-01-01","latest":"1899-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Murray Bequest","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"6 cm","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Bequeathed by Captain H. B. Murray, 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, Gama Sennin, 19th century, Japan","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"Gama Sennin, immortal, toad","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["A.1042-1910"],"accessionNumberNum":"1042","accessionNumberPrefix":"A","accessionYear":1910,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-12","recordCreationDate":"2009-06-25","availableToBook":true}}