Netsuke - Boxwood - Lucha de poderes - Japan - Late 19th / Early 20th century (Meiji period)

Netsuke - Boxwood - Power struggle - Japan - Late 19th / early 20th century (Meiji period) . Very rare and unique netsuke in boj wood, representing Zhong Kui (Shoki) and Onibaba. Zhong Kui (鍾 馗) or Shoki is a Chinese mythology deity, extended to Korea, Japan and Vietnam, considered as a ghosts and evil beings hunter, linked to the five bats of fortune or wufu (五福) , so it was common to paint it on the houses and businesses doors as a spirit guardian. Onibaba (鬼婆, demon witch) is an oni from the Japanese folklore, looking like a shabby old woman, maniac, wild hair and very large mouth. Offered protection and shelter to the passing people in her cave, where she attacked them with a knife. This netsuke, finely engraved, representing a power struggle where Onibaba seems to have led Shoki to commit seppuku or hara-kiri, while Shoki watches Onibaba looking for her to let her guard down to catch her.