Kappa on a clam , Rensai, late 19th century, netsuke. The Kappa was a Japanese water deity often dep

Kappa on a clam , Rensai, late 19th century, netsuke.

The Kappa was a Japanese water deity often depicted with a turtle carapace long hair and a depression on the head which was used to hold vital fluids. It dwelled in rivers and was an object of great terror to small children and travellers.
The carved ivory object we see here is a netsuke, which was a toggle used to hold an inro (small box or pouch containing money, medicine and other objects) in place over the sash of a person’s robe.