Hunter carrying a monkey he caught c. 1870s

Takeuchi Kyūichi’s ivory sculpture, Hunter carrying a monkey he caught, presents a complex tableau of human and animal relations. Made during the Meiji period in Japan, a time of rapid modernization and engagement with the West, this sculpture encapsulates traditional craftsmanship with new social tensions. The hunter, carved with great attention to detail, carries a monkey on his shoulders while two smaller monkeys are at his feet. The expressions of the monkeys range from distress to concern, evoking an empathetic response. During the Meiji era, Japan saw significant shifts in its relationship with its natural environment, influenced by economic and social changes. Kyūichi’s choice of ivory as a medium, and the detailed rendering of each figure, highlight both the preciousness of the material and the intimate connection between humans and animals. This piece prompts us to reflect on our ethical responsibilities towards the natural world and to consider how historical practices of hunting and resource extraction affect our contemporary values and emotional connections to wildlife.