Ama and Octopus – 1

This netsuke, carved from mammoth tusk (5.5 cm across), is a direct embodiment of a famous erotic subject (Shunga) from Japanese folklore.
“Ama and Octopus”, executed in openwork carving, serves as a miniature interpretation of the iconic woodblock print “The Dream of the Fisherman’s Wife” (Tako to Ama) by Katsushika Hokusai. The scene depicts not a struggle, but a mystical erotic dream of the female diver Ama, engaging intimately with an octopus. The Octopus (Tako) in this context transcends the realm of a mere animal, becoming the embodiment of primal, profound passion and fantasy.
The image is toned with Yashabushi dye and Urushi lacquer, lending the scene a warm, intimate atmosphere. The eye of the Octopus, inlaid with mother-of-pearl and buffalo horn, stares intently, underscoring the mystical nature of the encounter.
This netsuke is a bold, classic, and explicit work, reflecting the rich tradition of Japanese erotic art, Shunga.
Mammoth tusk, Yashabushi staining, Urushi lacquer, mother-of-pearl, and horn inlay.
Size: 5.5 cm across, 2 cm thick.
2011. Ex-collection of Theodor Hahn (Germany).