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

72. A netsuke of a joyful Fukurokuju, the Shinto God of Wisdom and Longevity. He stands beside his acolyte wearing priestly robes with his left hand upon a tama - the wish granting jewel. This choice of subject would have been meaningful to the wearer for its wish granting propensities. With lustrous patina. Signed Ikkosai.

Height: 5.2 cm

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

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

75. A Demé Uman netsuke mask representing Okina as it would have been seen in its ceremonial origins of village rites before it was adopted into the pantheon of the Noh Theater. Also engraved ‘Tenka-ichi’ (meaning ‘unique in this world’). Circa 1780.

Height: 4.8 cm

76. A dual function guri lacquer double gourd netsuke with a bronze hasp and threaded stopper intended to also function to carry powdered ink for a tsuitaté. Late 1700's.

Height: 5.7 cm

77. A kagamibuta depicting the legendary encounter of Yoko (Chin. Yang Hsiang) and the tiger, one of the 24 paragons of filial piety. Here the artist has brought legend to life as this young boy, fierce with the conviction of his love for his father, fearlessly wards off the advance of the tiger. By some accounts this act was startling enough for the tiger to retreat, in others Yoko sacrifices his life. This detailed married metalwork is some of the finest we've ever seen and the composition of the narrative on this contained surface is absolutely dynamic.

Diameter: 4.5 cm

78. A positively mad netsuke mask of the Kyogen Oji type. Such wild expression was only to be seen in the highly animated theatrics of the celebrated Kyogen folk plays that were so popular amongst the people of Meiji period Japan. Signed Mitsuyuki.

Height: 6.1 cm

79. An 18th century Noh mask netsuke depicting a manifestation of Beshimi. A striking countenance with boldly carved contours characteristic of this masterful school of mask makers. Signed Deme Uman.

Height: 4.4 cm

80. A boxwood seal-form netsuke of a cockerel resting on a war drum. When the cockerel comes to roost on the war drum, it is an indication that the war drum is not in use for its intended purpose, and over time this theme became a symbol of peace. The circumference of the wood drum is engraved with a natural grain pattern, a stylized tiger and dragon are carved on either end, and the brads are inlaid in umimatsu. Although seals are usually removed, this owner’s seal remains engraved at the base. 

Height: 7.7 cm

81. A netsuke of Fox and Young skillfully carved in a beautiful composition of grace and functional design with natural himotoshi. Mother's right forepaw rests on her pup's back as he turns to gaze lovingly up at her. This netsuke was carved from the tip of the tusk where the central nerve ends.  Acknowledged as the choicest section for carving and accessible to only the most esteemed carvers. This material would have begun white at the time this netsuke was created and the White Inari Fox is a 1,000 year old deity chosen by the Goddess Inari as her messenger. To wear an Inari Fox and Young would have provided a talisman as perpetual guardians against evil and harbingers of plenitude. Over a third of all Shinto Shrines in Japan are dedicated to the Goddess Inari and her Fox Avatar. Late 18th century.

- Acquired by previous collector from Bernie Hurtig’s Oriental Treasures in the early 1970’s.
- An additional netsuke by this artist with the same subject is the cover illustration for the catalog to accompany the exhibition at the Boston Fine Arts Museum, author Joe Earl.
- A single fox by the same artist is illustrated on the cover of Raymond Bushell’s ‘Collector's Netsuke.’

Length: 4.9 cm