Nature has long played a central role in Japanese life. Animals, birds, insects, flowers, and plants appeared initially in religious contexts but became important subjects in the pictorial and decorative arts from the Heian period (794−1185) onward. The theme of the Seven Grasses of Autumn (Aki no nanakusa) dates to the eighth century, when it is detailed in the Manyōshū, Japan’s first poetry anthology. The seven plants are listed therein as: hagi (bush clover), susuki or obana (pampas grass), kuzu (arrowroot), nadeshiko (pinks), ominaeshi (golden lace), fujibakama (mistflower), and asagao (morning glory). Depictions of this group varied, however, and sometimes included kiku (chrysanthemum) and kikyō (bellflower).
Most examples of the autumn grasses and flowers motif in netsuke date from the nineteenth century, such as this tiny orb carved with plants and a dragonfly. Often their designs include other autumnal elements like flying geese, quail, crickets, or the moon. Netsuke of this type seldom appear in wood; rather, carvers worked ivory or stag antler using a technique called ryūsa, in which spaces around each component are carved away, leaving openings throughout the composition. Ryūsa-style netsuke often combine groups of things such as masks, musical instruments, animals, and the seven Buddhist treasures (see M.87.263.39). This type of netsuke is named after Ryūsa, a carver active in the late eighteenth century who is said to have originated the technique.
2024
