Complementing the previous inrō, we now have a remarkably rareand important Nanban netsuke.Considering its shape, we may identify it as a kagamibuta.Literally ‘mirror cover’, it is reminiscent of a traditional roundshapedmanju or sweet, since its upper part resembles a mirror.Made from lacquered wood, the upper ‘mirror’ of this kagamibutadepicts a Portuguese or a Daimyo. Carved in low-relief, thisfigure is drawn in maki-e, with sprinkled silver powder for the skinand gold powder for the garments. On his neck, a large crucifixemerges in aogai, mother-of-pearl. Due to its dimensions and relevance, the depicted crucifixmight correspond to a Nanban reliquary cross—as the one illustratedin our catalog (F1281, p. 260). These were exclusively warnedby daimyos and high dignitaries of the church.The older physical appearance of the masculine figure, hispose, and, above all, the crucifix hanging from his neck suggeststhat this is a Christian Portuguese, or a Daimyo converted toChristianity, echoing the so-called ‘Christian century of Japan’.The extremely high level of the lacquer’s technical executioncontributes to the rarity and uniqueness of this piece.
TP