Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art

Ashmolean − Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art

Tales in the Round: Manjū Netsuke and Japanese Woodblock Prints

(from 30th Apr until 22nd Sep 2013)

Discover dramatic episodes from Japanese culture in these exquisitely carved objects and prints.

Detail of a manju netsuke depicting Minamoto Yoshitsune practising martial arts with a tengu demon,
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The Japanese New Year

In Japan the New Year is an important celebration, accompanied by a number of rituals intended to rid the home of ‘devils’ and any inauspicious phenomena. Special food and drink are consumed by all members of the household. During the Edo period (1600-1868) travelling troupes went from house to house performing Manzai dances. If a picture of the treasure ship (takarabune) associated with the Seven Gods of Good Fortune (Shichifukujin) was put under the pillow on the second night of the new year it was thought to produce auspicious dreams which would bring good fortune for the coming year.

Manjū netsuke with a takarabune, or treasure ship (EA2001.127) Manjū netsuke with a takarabune, or treasure ship (EA2001.127)   Manjū netsuke with takaramono, or precious things (EA2001.62) Manjū netsuke with takaramono, or precious things (EA2001.62)   Manjū netsuke depicting Hotei peering from his sack (EA2001.56) Manjū netsuke depicting Hotei peering from his sack (EA2001.56)
Manjū netsuke in the form of Hotei peering from his sack (EA2001.35) Manjū netsuke in the form of Hotei peering from his sack (EA2001.35)   Manjū netsuke depicting Fukurokuju, one of the Seven Lucky Gods, carrying toys on a willow branch (EA2001.65) Manjū netsuke depicting Fukurokuju, one of the Seven Lucky Gods, carrying toys on a willow branch (EA2001.65)   Manjū netsuke depicting a child riding a sacred deer (EA2001.79) Manjū netsuke depicting a child riding a sacred deer (EA2001.79)
Manjū netsuke depicting Daikoku scattering coins for Ebisu (EA2001.64) Manjū netsuke depicting Daikoku scattering coins for Ebisu (EA2001.64)   Manjū netsuke depicting the gods Daikoku and Ebisu dressed as manzai dancers (EA2001.100) Manjū netsuke depicting the gods Daikoku and Ebisu dressed as manzai dancers (EA2001.100)   Manjū netsuke depicting manzai dancers at New Year (EA2001.131) Manjū netsuke depicting manzai dancers at New Year (EA2001.131)
Manjū netsuke depicting a Sanbasō dancer and mask box bearer, with an uprooted pine sapling on the reverse (EA2001.41) Manjū netsuke depicting a Sanbasō dancer and mask box bearer, with an uprooted pine sapling on the reverse (EA2001.41)   Manjū netsuke depicting a boy throwing beans at the Setsubun festival (EA2001.126) Manjū netsuke depicting a boy throwing beans at the Setsubun festival (EA2001.126)   Manjū netsuke depicting a boy chasing away two oni, or demons (EA2001.37) Manjū netsuke depicting a boy chasing away two oni, or demons (EA2001.37)
The seven gods of good fortune on a takarabune, or treasure ship (EA1964.102) The seven gods of good fortune on a takarabune, or treasure ship (EA1964.102)   The gods Daikoku and Ebisu on a takarabune, or treasure ship (EA1964.130) The gods Daikoku and Ebisu on a takarabune, or treasure ship (EA1964.130)   Takarabune, or treasure ship, in the shape of a merchant's account book (EA1964.136) Takarabune, or treasure ship, in the shape of a merchant's account book (EA1964.136)
Notice

Objects from past exhibitions may have now returned to our stores or a lender. Click into an individual object record to confirm whether or not an object is currently on display. Our object location data is usually updated on a monthly basis, so please contact the Jameel Study Centre if you are planning to visit the museum to see a particular Eastern Art object.

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