Bad Dreams Be Gone

This netsuke was carved from a piece of ivory in the 1700s. It is in the form of an imaginary creature called a baku. Baku are thought to perform a specific job: They eat nightmares and protect people from bad dreams. Some people believe this fantastic creature is a combination of different animals including a lion and an elephant.

Question: Can you identify the parts of the creature that look like a lion and the parts that look like an elephant?

Answer: The hair, body, and paws of a baku resemble those of a lion; and the trunk and tusks resemble those of an elephant.

What is a netsuke? Until the 1800s, Japanese men, women, and children wore kimono as everyday clothing. A kimono is similar to what we use as a robe and has a sash to tie around the waist to keep it closed. Kimono are made from different materials like cotton and silk. They were usually decorated with colorful embroidery and threads wrapped with gold or silver foil. Kimono are sometimes worn today for special occasions.

Kimono do not have pockets. Women and children tucked small belongings into the long, draping sleeves of their kimono. Men carried their important possessions in small boxes or pouches that hung from a cord attached to their sashes. Artists created small objects called netsuke to secure these pouches in place. Netsuke were made from many materials including ivory, wood, and stag antler. Artists carved netsuke to depict a variety of real and imaginary subjects such as animals, flowers, and theatrical characters. Is the subject of this netsuke real or imaginary?

You can see many netsuke in the Japanese Pavilion at LACMA.

Search Collections Online for other netsuke.

Image above:
Attributed to Gechu, Japan, active 18th century, Baku, 18th century, ivory with staining, sumi (ink), and traces of red pigment, 1 5/8 x 1 3/16 in. (9.5 x 4.1 x 3.0 cm), AC1998.249.63, Raymond and Frances Bushell Collection, photo © 2004 Museum Associates/LACMA.

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Artwork of the Month is intended for children but can also be a fun resource for students, teachers, and families who want to learn more about artworks in LACMA's permanent collection and special exhibitions.