Tatar archer on foot

Information

Title	Tatar archer on foot
Date	c. 1800-1850

Height

7,5 cm

Object number	SH2025-LP-136
iterature references	Jirka-Schmitz, Patrizia. 2005. The World of Netsuke: The Werdelmann Collection at the museum kunst palast Düsseldorf. Stuttgart: ARNOLDSCHE Art Publishers.
Credit Line	Collection Japan Museum SieboldHuis, donated by Mrs. E.Y. de Koster and Mrs. G. Zellentin, 2025

Description

A Tartar archer peering upwards, with his bow across his shoulder and an arrow in his hand. His quiver, fully filled, is on his back. In place of the fur-trimmed hat with which Tartars are often depicted in netsuke, he is wearing a round straw hat.

Tata and Dattajin were the Japanese names for all tribes from the areas north and north-east of China. As early as the fifth century, these groups were known in Japan as Tata. This includes the people which we call ‘Tatars’, as well as other tribes living in these areas.

For further information on the representation of foreigners in carvings, see our collection story: Hollanders in Japanse snijkunst.