HOSHUNSAI MASAYUKI: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF AN ONI CATCHING A TERRAPIN

HOSHUNSAI MASAYUKI: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF AN ONI CATCHING A TERRAPIN

By Hoshunsai Masayuki, signed Masayuki 正之 with kakihan
Japan, Edo (Tokyo), mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Superbly carved as an oni tearing through a large, upturned lotus leaf to reach under the foliage to grab a trembling turtle hiding below. The furled leaf naturalistically carved with veins and cleverly stained, the muscular oni similarly detailed with sharp claws digging into the vegetation. The turtle is amusingly clinging onto the leaf on the underside, hoping to evade the oni. Natural himotoshi under the oni's arm and signed MASAYUKI with the artist's kakihan.

LENGTH 3.7 cm

Condition: Very good condition with minor surface wear and a small abrasion to the edge of the leaf.

Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related wood netsuke of an oni catching a terrapin, by Hoshunsai Masayuki and fully signed Hoshunsai Masayuki and kakihan, at Christie's, The Raymond and Frances Bushell Collection of Netsuke, Part I, 27 October 1987, London, lot 84 (sold for GBP 1,210).