Dog Amulet (Inu Hariko)

Shitayama

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Inlaid with mother-of-pearl and cloisonné, this netsuke resembles a benevolent dog amulet (inu hariko). These box-shaped charms were given to women in childbirth and to young girls to insure good fortune and a safe home.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art