Manju-netsuke

Japan, 19th century

Round ivory button with added colour. Motif of a boy playing the flute while riding a water buffalo.

Diameter: 4.5 cm

O 424

Purchased from H. Sänger of Hamburg.

A manju-netsuke is a decorative button in the shape of a manju (a Japanese confection – a small round dumpling) made of two pieces, usually ivory. A netsuke is a decorative button that was tied to an inro box with a silk cord. The netsuke was fastened behind an obi sash.