AN UNUSUAL KIRI (PAULOWNIA) WOOD SHUNGA MASK NETSUKE OF FUKUWARAI TYPE
AN UNUSUAL KIRI (PAULOWNIA) WOOD SHUNGA MASK NETSUKE OF FUKUWARAI TYPE
Unsigned
Japan, 18th-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Published: Bushell, Raymond (1985), Netsuke Masks, pl. 316.
Amusingly carved as the face of Okame with stylized, almost tribal features, her parted hair and broad nose evoking phallic imagery. Himotoshi through the central bar to the back.
HEIGHT 5.3 cm
Condition: Very good condition with minor surface wear and natural imperfections. One old chip to the back.
Provenance: Ex-collection Raymond Bushell. Robert Fleischel, Paris, France, February 2012. European collection P. Jacquesson, acquired from the above.
In his publication, Netsuke Masks, Bushell describes this mask as “Face of an Ugly Woman Used in the Game of Fukuwarai”. Fukuwarai is a Japanese children's game popular during New Year's celebrations. Players are led to a table which has a paper drawing of a human face with no features depicted, and cutouts of several facial features (such as the eyes, eyebrows, nose and mouth). While blindfolded, the players attempt to place the features onto the face in the correct positions. Much like with Pin the Tail on the Donkey, correct placement tends to be a stroke of luck and incorrect placement an amusing matter, perhaps explaining the name and its translation, 'lucky laugh'.
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AN UNUSUAL KIRI (PAULOWNIA) WOOD SHUNGA MASK NETSUKE OF FUKUWARAI TYPE
Unsigned
Japan, 18th-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Published: Bushell, Raymond (1985), Netsuke Masks, pl. 316.
Amusingly carved as the face of Okame with stylized, almost tribal features, her parted hair and broad nose evoking phallic imagery. Himotoshi through the central bar to the back.
HEIGHT 5.3 cm
Condition: Very good condition with minor surface wear and natural imperfections. One old chip to the back.
Provenance: Ex-collection Raymond Bushell. Robert Fleischel, Paris, France, February 2012. European collection P. Jacquesson, acquired from the above.
In his publication, Netsuke Masks, Bushell describes this mask as “Face of an Ugly Woman Used in the Game of Fukuwarai”. Fukuwarai is a Japanese children's game popular during New Year's celebrations. Players are led to a table which has a paper drawing of a human face with no features depicted, and cutouts of several facial features (such as the eyes, eyebrows, nose and mouth). While blindfolded, the players attempt to place the features onto the face in the correct positions. Much like with Pin the Tail on the Donkey, correct placement tends to be a stroke of luck and incorrect placement an amusing matter, perhaps explaining the name and its translation, 'lucky laugh'.
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
