ANRAKU: A FINE AND HUMOROUS WOOD NETSUKE OF TANUKI DISGUISED AS A PRIEST

ANRAKU: A FINE AND HUMOROUS WOOD NETSUKE OF TANUKI DISGUISED AS A PRIEST

By Shukosai Anraku(sai), signed Anraku 安乐
Japan, Osaka, second half of the 19th century

The mythical creature seated in meditation with its hands folded in its lap, almost completely enveloped in its loosely fitted robe secured by a ring to the shoulder, the amusingly carved expression detailed with glaring eyes double inlaid in bone and dark horn. The hairwork of the tanuki is minutely incised. Two horn-ringed himotoshi to the underside and signed on an inlaid signature tablet ANRAKU.

LENGTH 4.2 cm

Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and a small nick to his robe by the left knee.
Provenance: From a private collection in France. With an old collector's label to the underside, 'I(1994).'

The tanuki possesses magical powers and can change forms, sometimes into Buddhist monks; they are jovial and love drinking sake, but are also dangerous, as they have been known to suffocate hunters with their enormous scrotums.

Museum comparison:
Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a standing tanuki disguised as a priest, apparently unsigned but likely by the same artist, in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, accession number B70Y352.

Auction comparison:
Compare a related wood netsuke of stretching daruma by the same artist with similar inlays, signed Anraku, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 3 November 2023, Vienna, lot 167 (EUR 5,850). Also compare a wood netsuke of Okame by Kokeisai Sansho at Bonhams, Myth, Mirth and Magic - Important Netsuke and Sagemono from the Guy de Lasteyrie Collection, 14 June 2023, Paris, lot 4 (sold for EUR 40,960).