1. A very well-preserved 17th century netsuke of Shinno, an ancient Chinese Taoist deity (Shennong), the god of healing and medicine. He was revered for having taught the ancient Chinese people the skills of agriculture and the curative benefits of herbal medicine. He is traditionally depicted wearing the artemisia leaf cloak and consuming a medicinal herb. The horned protuberances on his head denote his numinous fame as there are many fantastic legends of mystical proportions surrounding his life. Lustrous patina with wear to the high points, characteristic of great age.

Height: 4.9 cm

2. A comely young Ningyo rests upon a rocky craig, having surfaced to gaze upon the terrestrial world. She smiles gently at all she sees. Her nubile Piscean form with well-defined overlapping scales and long locks of hair that lay heavy with seawater across her back, lend grace to this tactile, highly functional netsuke. Signed Shumin with irregular himotoshi. Early 1800's. (Midori INS Convention Catalog 2007, #71.)

Length: 4.3 cm

3. A most unusual netsuke of two young Ama wrestling with what by scale is a massive octopus. Arms and tentacles with purposeful intent are skillfully rendered to create movement and tension in this lively encounter. The artist has respectfully depicted the countenance of these 'ladies of the sea' with expressions of capable ease. Confident in their skill, they enjoy their familiar work while probing tentacles seek to seduce them. Natural himotoshi. Signed Isshu.

Length: 4.2 cm

4. Feisty and full of personality is Yasufusa's spirited Shishi. He roars to let any would be intruder of his temple domain know that he is on duty. The shishi is a mythological beast 'Koma Inu' possessing both the fierceness of a lion and the devoted loyalty of the dog. The artist has captured the presence of this hybrid creature perfectly with his ever-attentive bright eyes, ears turned back,teeth bared, tail erect and impressive lion's mane. Signed: Baishodo Yasufusa. [Born 1931 (now 94 years of age), he is among the gifted Japanese carvers first heralded by Bob and Miriam Kinsey. His work was presented at the INS conventions of the 70s and 80s.]

5. A rare netsuke of proper shunga where erotic content has been concealed in keeping with Japanese 19th century social constraints. Hidden within the most demure form of containment – a black-eyed chick nesting on a bed of cabbage, we lift the chick from his nest to find a compartment with a couple rapt in erotic embrace. Lustrous patina. Mid-19th Century. (Midori INS Convention Catalog 2007, #119.)

Of interest: At the 2011 Baltimore Netsuke Convention, we featured the Chester Collection with a shunga netsuke, signed Mitsuhiro. The netsuke was in a similar form of containment, this time a mortar with an octopus cover (see ills). When the octopus was lifted, there was an erotic couple contained therein carved by the same hand as this nesting chick. There is much in this sophisticated current work to indicate an attribution to Mitsuhiro, with its minimalist rounded composition and skillful attention to the bed of leaves with stems.

Length: 4.0 cm

6. Resolute in purpose is this netsuke portrayal of Bodhi Dharma, known to the Japanese as 'Daruma'. For nine years he remained in the practice of meditation, his resolve dedicated to the relief from suffering of all sentient beings (Bodhisattva vow). His sheer determination to being enlightened and achieving 'Nirvana' was popularized in Japanese culture with the Daruma Doll and the adage of, "8 times down - 9 times up". The Daruma doll playfully recognizes his feat of devotion with the characterization that when rocked it always rights itself. This is a highly functional netsuke with its curvilinear composition and the characteristic wear to the surface of a well-loved netsuke. Irregular himotoshi framed in stained green and amber bone. Signed with an engraved seal.

7. An early 19th century ivory netsuke of Shishi no Tamago as he is bursting free from his egg. He emerges fully formed with a dynamic disposition that is ready to take on the world. The intensity of his eyes with flared nostrils, fanged overbite and a mischievous grin leave no doubt that he is born in joyful accord to his purpose to protect and serve as guardian of the Dharma. He is a mythological beast and therefore born of an egg, much like the dragon and other mythological creatures that can move through realms of existence. Inlaid eyes, irregular himotoshi and lustrous patina with characteristic wear to the high points.

Height: 3.7 cm

8. A rectangular manju with a deep relief rendering of a very spirited tiger seated with forepaw lifted as he glares over his right shoulder. He gives a warning growl, tail raised and flicking. 'Take ni Tora' - tiger in bamboo is a classic subject in Japanese art and the symbol of terrestrial power. This unusual manju has the characteristics of near fossilized 18th century ivory, and yet the precise and well-delineated signature is that of the 19th century Osaka artist Koshu (a very rare artist and pupil of Ohara Mitsuhiro). It is difficult to surmise how this occurred, but I am one who likes a mystery rather than be dismissive and simply call it spurious. It is a beautiful manju and Koshu who liked to undertake challenging surface treatments may have employed a marvelous peace of 18th century ivory? I'll ‘Let it Be...’ Signed: Koshu koku kore (this is engraved by Koshu), with seal Kotobuki (Ju) meaning a felicitous long life.

Height: 4.7 cm

9. A most unusual 18th century netsuke of the rise of Mount Meru, the cosmic center of the universe. To the Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Bon traditions, this is Mount Kailash that rose from the tectonic shift merging the continents of Asia and India giving rise to the Kailas Mountain Range. Kailas is acknowledged to posses a powerful magnetic field (as investigated by NASA), here expressed in metaphor by the rise of a powerful primordial dragon. Signed Nobutoshi.

Height: 4.4 cm

10. A netsuke of a young lady of the court whose elaborate robes and dreamy state is highly suggestive of a poetic episode from 'Tales of Genji', the 11th century novel by court lady Murasaki Shikibu. This novel has remained a popular source of classic literature for nearly ten centuries and continues to inspire cultural artifacts, including a functional works of art such as this rendering of a very charming dreamer. Signed Gyokuho. Late 19th century.

Height: 4.2 cm

11. Carved with great skill is this extraordinary netsuke of Sennin Kinko (ch. Ch'in Kao) astride a giant Koi (the King of the Fishes) wearing Chinese robes with mugwort cape. He was invited by the Koi to visit the underwater domain. Kinko named the day of his return and on that given day his students assembled on the bank of the great river. Kinko emerged from waves astride the giant Koi to offer enlightened teachings (symbolized by the scroll of wisdom) and then returned to the underwater realm. This is a challenging subject to portray, but we have yet to see a more successful composition both functional and so skillfully rendered. Signed Raku.

Height: 4.4 cm

12. A very early 18th century netsuke of Hotei, the Shinto God of happiness and guardian of small children. His generous corporal form is intended to express a largess of spirit. Here he is resting on his massive bag of gifts attended by a "Karako" (Buddhist acolyte). The gifts were said to be graced with the ability to grant whatever the receiver needed to know joy and the true source of happiness. He was a 9th century Chinese Zen priest (ch. Pu-tai) whose fame traveled across nations and led to his Japanese Shinto deification as Hotei the god of happiness. Early patination of over 300 years and large irregular himotoshi.

Length: 4.5 cm

13. A marvelous netsuke of a ningyo (mermaid) in the amiable company of her aquatic companion tako (octopus) whom she cuddles next to her wrapped in her piscis tail. Here she is packing a kiseru in preparation for a smoke. Their expressions speak volumes of how at ease they are in each other's company. Every time one holds this netsuke in the palm of the hand this congenial friendship brings a smile. Signed Tomoyuki.

Length: 3.5 cm

14. A most attractive late 18th century Kyoto School ivory netsuke of a Himalayan long haired goat. Beautifully detailed are the hooves, horns and the striations of his splendid coat. The artist conveys his good-natured countenance with expressive large dark eyes. This sculptural composition is highly functional as a netsuke where the reclining goat rests compactly in the hand. The marvelous tactile textures are very gratifying to the touch. Attributed to Okatori. Circa 1770-80.

Length: 3.9 cm