Netsuke portraying a kappa, or “river child,” a creature from Japanese folklore known for its amphibious nature and mischievous temperament, resting on a lotus leaf.
The kappa is traditionally described as a composite being: it bears the body of a turtle, the limbs of a frog, and the face of a monkey, complete with a pronounced jaw. A distinctive feature is the water-filled depression atop its head, believed to be the source of its supernatural strength. If this liquid is spilled, the creature is rendered powerless.
Carved in stained ivory, the figure captures both the eerie vitality and mythical intrigue associated with the kappa.
Artist's signature on the underside.