Serpent Soul

Ōmononushi is one of the most ancient and enigmatic deities in Japanese mythology, closely tied to Mount Miwa and the mysteries of transformation, merged forms, and hidden presence. He appears as a great white serpent — and sometimes, a man. In one legend, he visits a woman in human form. His eyes shimmer like moonlight, his skin bears the trace of scales. When she wakes, he is gone — but the child she bears carries the mark of the serpent god. This piece is a tribute to that myth. Carved from fossilized mammoth ivory, it depicts a face fused with the coiled body of a cobra. The features are human, yet scaled; the eyes are inlaid with mother-of-pearl and buffalo horn. A blue lacquer pattern, painted in traditional Urushi, traces the path of transformation — from man to serpent, from mask to amulet, from outer form to inner essence. It is both a netsuke mask — worn on an obi sash or tobacco pouch — and a bolo tie, pairing naturally with denim or leather. A bridge between tradition and modernity. A talisman of duality: man and beast, myth and reality, East and West. Mammoth ivory, Urushi lacquer, mother-of-pearl, buffalo horn Dimensions: 7.2 cm × 4 cm Function: Wearable netsuke mask and bolo tie. 2025. 

This original artwork is available for purchase.

To acquire this piece, please click the envelope icon (✉️) at the top of the page to contact me directly. I will provide an invoice and arrange the details.
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