Japan
Edo Period, 1603-1867
Masatami, Japanese, 19th century

Shinto, the indigenous religion of Japan, has as its deities all the elements of nature: the sun, moon, wind, tides, etc. This netsuke (NET-skeh)—a small, carved object used to fasten segmented boxes called inro to a garment—depicts Raiden, the Shinto god of thunder. He looks from a cloud to the earth, searching for a place to throw his lightning bolts. In his left claw he holds a stick for beating his drum, which creates the thunder humans hear on earth.

 

Ivory
Gift of H. A. Fee, 1948.140