SILVER HARE OVER WAVES

Details
SILVER HARE OVER WAVES
Wood manju netsuke with applied silver and inlaid silver wires under lacquer, unsigned
19th Century
2 1/8 in. (5.3 cm.) diameter

Lot Essay

The design is of a hare bounding over waves. According to legend the female hare conceives by hopping on ocean waves. The round manju represents the moon on which the Japanese see the hare. The heroic size of this manju represents a vogue for larger-than-life accessories adopted by Kabuki actors.