Netsuke and Sagemono in the Year of the Ox (Dr. David Butsumyo)

The zodiacal year 2021 is the Year of the Ox. In recognition of this special occasion, the image of the ox in Japanese folklore and religion will be explored through netsuke and sagemono. In this Webinar co-sponsored by the International Netsuke Society, netsuke collector Dr. David Butsumyo speaks about these miniature sculptures, which originated in 17th-century Japan. Netsuke and sagemono were used as clothing accessories on a daily basis by people of all walks of life in Japan for over three centuries. Because Japanese clothing during the Edo Period lacked pockets, small personal containers evolved to carry different types of things: inro (medicine boxes with stacked compartments), kiseruzutsu (pipe cases), tabako ire (tobacco pouches) and kinchaku (coin purses) are a few examples. Sagemono is the general term for these containers, and they were worn at the right hip, secured and suspended from the obi (sash) by a toggle called a netsuke. These utilitarian ensembles evolved into refined fashion accessories