Zodiac Netsuke: Animals of the Japanese Zodiac in Miniature

Netsuke Snake, 19th century, boxwood, Chester Beatty, Dublin.

Celebrating the New Year, this exhibition highlights Japanese netsuke from the Chester Beatty Collections carved in the shape of these twelve zodiac animals. The twelve animals—rat, ox, tiger, hare (rabbit), dragon, snake, horse, goat (sheep), monkey, rooster, dog, and boar (pig)— represent the twelve-year cycles in Asia.

Netsuke are tiny sculptures carved from materials such as wood, ivory and metal. In the Edo period (1615–1868), men used netsuke as toggles to secure personal items – money pouches, compartmented boxes (inrō), and writing and smoking accessories – which they hung from their sashes.  Maintaining their functionality, netsuke also became fashion statements, and inspired artists’ imaginations to express a wide variety of motifs.

Made in the 18th and 19th centuries, the netsuke featured in this exhibition tell the stories of the twelve zodiac animals. While originally derived from the ancient Chinese astrological calendar, visitors will learn how these stories were uniquely developed in Japan. The exhibition will also explore fascinating and fun facts about these animals in Irish folklore and in the world of zoology. 3D digital and printed models of each animal netsuke will enable visitors to examine the objects and a short film will show how the Japanese artist, Saitō Bishū (b. 1943), creates contemporary netsuke.

In conjunction with this exhibition, our recent acquisition, Yamaguchi Akira (b. 1969)’s Over-rap (2021), will be displayed in the Arts of the Book gallery alongside the stunning 17th-century handscroll Poetry contest of zodiac animals from which it was inspired.

We acknowledge the support of the Japan Foundation and the zoologist and educator, Catherine McGuinness, from Cavan County Museum.

At the front desk, 3D-printed models of the exhibited netsuke are available for visually impaired visitors to handle.