MIWA: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A BOY AT SHISHIMAI

MIWA: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A BOY AT SHISHIMAI

By Miwa, signed Miwa 三輪 with kakihan
Japan, Edo (Tokyo), early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

A charming fine wood netsuke of a seated boy peeking out from underneath a large shishimai robe, his face alight with playful glee, his mouth opened showing his coral-inlaid tongue. The fierce shishi head with flattened ears, a carved mane, bold eyes beneath furrowed brows, and large teeth enclosing a loose ball. A single himotoshi lined with pale horn to the base, the cord channel running through the opening of the robe. Signed MIWA with the typical square 'seal' kakihan.

LENGTH 3.4 cm

Condition: A repair to the edge of the robe and a small crack to the back. Otherwise good condition with minor typical wear.

Museum comparison:
Compare a near identical wood netsuke of a boy beneath a shishimai robe, signed Miwa, in the Tokyo National Museum, illustrated in Arakawa, Hirokazu (1983) The Go Collection of Netsuke, p. 102-103, no. 185.