Finely carved antler netsuke depicting a tanuki, the legendary Japanese raccoon dog, cleverly disguised in the robe of a Buddhist priest. Executed with subtle wit and precision, this piece exemplifies both the technical skill of the carver and the rich symbolic language of Edo-period folk traditions.
In Japanese folklore, the tanuki is one of the most playful and mischievous shapeshifting animals. Endowed with supernatural powers, it was believed to assume human form or disguise itself as everyday objects in order to deceive, confuse, or entertain. Alongside the fox (kitsune), the tanuki was among the most commonly portrayed trickster figures, delighting in antics that ranged from lighthearted pranks to more biting social commentary.
This netsuke references a particular narrative theme wherein the tanuki transforms into a monk or priest—a visual satire that critiques the hypocrisy and corruption found among certain members of the Buddhist clergy. A discreet artist’s signature appears on the underside, testifying to the maker’s pride in this whimsical yet incisive creation.