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71. A carved wood netsuke of Fukura Suzume (round and puffy sparrow). As this suzume is rendered wearing a winter hanten (a quilted haori) with an ajisai (hydrangea) textile pattern we can assume there is an anthropomorphic inference (most likely the legendary tale of Shita-kiri Suzume). Shita-kiri Suzume is a beloved Japanese tale of blessings for acts of loving kindness and the misery brought upon oneself for treachery and greed. Meiji period.
Length: 3.8 cm |
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72. There is Japanese classic humor in this netsuke of a perplexed Setsubun Oni. By his expression he realizes, all too late, the folly of his hasty attempt to seek refuge from hot soybeans by contorting muscle and bone into the small space of a wooden mosu. In historical Japan, Oni were customarily seen as mischief makers, more in the light of the human id (primal, instinctual drives) that could be tamed as in legends of Shoki taming recalcitrant oni. Stag antler details of hot beans, face and the framing of irregular himotoshi. Signed. Meiji Period.
Length: 3.5 cm |
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73. This fine 19th century Japanese metalwork kagamibuta alludes to the famous legend of “Tadamori & the Oil Thief”. We see an ancient gnarled pine and a torii gate with a figure of an aged priest with a tattered umbrella carrying a lantern. The legend has it that this figure in the night mists of the temple grounds had caused alarm and was believed to be a demon that breathed fire and had a fearful spiked head. The 12th century samurai hero Tadamori was dispatched to destroy the demon, but fortunately recognized the personage of the old priest before he could draw his sword.
Diameter: 4.4 cm |
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74. An 18th century ebony netsuke depicting the beloved family dog enjoying a good scratch. Carved with attention to detail of ribs with elements of bony structure and razor-fine hairwork. Characteristically rubbed smooth at the high points. Irregular himotoshi. Late 18th century.
Height: 3.8 cm |
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