M0004146EA: Netsuke of a blind musician holding a shamisen / M0004146EB: Netsuke of masseur massaging left arm of a man

Previous title, replaced May 2020: Wood blind musician holding part of a Samisien upright.

Previous title, replaced May 2020: Wood clad masseur operates on left arm.

Photograph of two wooden netsuke. One is of a blind musician holding part of a shamisen (musical instrument) upright. The handle is detached and is at his side. The other is of a masseur massaging the left arm of a man. This netsuke is signed by Tsuhan Minko. Netsuke are ornaments worn with a Kimono. The Netsuke is tied a silk bag hidden behind the sash for belongings. They were especially popular during the Tokugawa period (1603–1868) and are seen by many as fine works of miniature art. These Netsuke are from Doctor Hermann Gunther's collection of Netsuke, now held by the History of Science Museum, Oxford

23 January 1935

1 photograph glass plate negative; 12 x 16 cm

Catalogue data comes from a combination of entries in the original glass plate registers, metadata created when the glass plates were digitised in the early 2000s and enhancements made by the cataloguer in 2021.

Copyright is held by Wellcome Collection

Please consult the digitised version as this item is fragile. Email library@wellcomecollection.org to request access to the physical item.