©

Seascape, detail, 1995
netsuke: Lynn Richardson
porcelain
Collection of Robert and Janet Ross

In Japanese folklore, a human being with a fish's body and tail is known as a ningyo. The shape of this fabulous mythological creature, as well as her luck-provoking quality, makes the mermaid and her counterpart, the merman, fitting subject matter for netsuke. Possessed of inner power and life, as well as being excellent swimmers, ningyo also understand the speech of the mollusks, and by listening to the murmuring of the conch shells they can overhear the secrets of the sea.