LACMA Store






Bird Whistle Netsuke
$21.60
Traditional Japanese garments lack pockets. Personal items were carried in small containers or pouches that hung on a cord from a man’s kimono sash. Netsuke served as counterweights that held these containers in place. Developed in the early Edo period (1615–1868) and continuing through the 19th century, netsuke evolved into an art form where increasingly detailed and sophisticated examples reflected the wealth, social status, and taste of the wearer.
Yamaguchi Okatomo (school of) (Japan, late 18th–early 19th century), Bird Whistle, late 18th century, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Raymond and Frances Bushell Collection
During the Edo period (1615–1868) fear of illness prompted the creation of different talismans that were thought to ward off disease. It was believed that some childhood afflictions were caused by evil spirits who could be frightened away by noises, such as those from toy whistles. Press-molded clay whistles were produced at different sites around Japan in various shapes, sizes, and colors. Dove or pigeon shapes, with the mouthpiece hidden among the tail feathers, were the most common.
This is a replica of one of the many netsuke in LACMA’s collection.
- Each netsuke is made from a cast resin with a portion of granulated stone/mineral
- Each netsuke comes in it's chosen color pouch
- Approximate height: 1.5 inches
THE LACMA Store
Located on the Pacific Rim, LACMA is the largest art museum in the western United States, with a collection of nearly 154,000 objects that illuminate 6,000 years of artistic expression across the globe. Committed to showcasing a multitude of art histories, LACMA exhibits and interprets works of art from new and unexpected points of view that are informed by the region’s rich cultural heritage and diverse population. LACMA’s spirit of experimentation is reflected in its work with artists, technologists, and thought leaders as well as in its regional, national, and global partnerships to share collections and programs, create pioneering initiatives, and engage new audiences.
The LACMA Store reflects the museum itself through its thoughtfully curated selection of LACMA-developed catalogues and publications, books, posters, and apparel. It is located in the Resnick Pavilion.
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