SUKETADA: A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF A KAPPA ON CLAM

SUKETADA: A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF A KAPPA ON A HAMAGURI
By Eguro Suketada, signed Suketada 亮忠
Japan, Takayama, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

The naked kappa, lacking its carapace, seated on a large clam, facing ahead, its eyes inlaid with dark horn. Amusingly, its trailing foot is caught in the shell's jaws. The underside with two asymmetrical himotoshi ringed with bone, one stained green, as well as the signature SUKETADA.

HEIGHT 4 cm, WIDTH 4 cm

Condition: Very good condition with minor wear. Few minuscule nicks and light scratches. Fine, dark patina.
Provenance: European collection.

This netsuke motif is one of the best known by Eguro Suketada (1852-1915), a student of Matsuda Sukenaga (1800-1871) from Takayama in Hida (Gifu Prefecture), who also depicted this theme.

Usually, the kappa has a turtle-like carapace, making this a rare variation of a well-known motif.

Literature comparison:
A closely related netsuke of a kappa on a large hamaguri clam is illustrated in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part B, p. 829.

Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related netsuke by Suketada of a kappa on a large hamaguri clam at Bonhams, The Harriet Szechenyi Sale of Japanese Art, 8 November 2011, London, lot 54 (sold for 8,125 GBP).