LACMA Store





Owl Attacking a Bat 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.
Ho ̄raku (Japan, active early to mid-19th century), Owl Attacking a Bat, early to mid-19th century, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Raymond and Frances Bushell Collection
Though the owl motif carried negative connotations when it arrived from China, over time it came to be seen in Japan as a lucky and protective talisman. The bat had long been revered in China as an auspicious symbol, a positive association that it retained when it was adopted by the Japanese. The pairing of these two creatures in Japanese art is rare, and suggests direct observation by the carver.
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.
tel 323 857-6146 | webstore@lacma.org
Thank you for your support and for shopping at the LACMA Store online. Your purchase helps support the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and its many programs.