SHOGETSU: AN AMUSING IVORY NETSUKE OF ASHINAGA AND OCTOPUS

SHOGETSU: AN AMUSING IVORY NETSUKE OF ASHINAGA AND OCTOPUS

By Shogetsu, signed Shogetsu 松月
Japan, Tokyo, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)

Amusingly carved as the long-legged Ashinaga gleefully laughing at the struggling octopus at his feet. In his left hand he holds a hand drum incised with a triple tomo-e crest while the right hand is clasped around a drumstick. Ashinaga is dressed in a robe decorated with dispersed swirls, too short for his long limbs, secured at the waist with a belt which suspends a small basket to store the day's catch. The struggling octopus appears to clamber up the fisherman's legs, not quite accepting defeat yet. Himotoshi to the back and signed SHOGETSU.

HEIGHT 6.7 cm

Condition: Very good condition with minor surface wear.

Ashinaga ("long legs") is a mythical yokai who utilizes his enhanced extremities to capture creatures from the ocean.

Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 24-B-0061).

This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.