YOSHIKOSAI: A WOOD NETSUKE OF A KAPPA

YOSHIKOSAI: A WOOD NETSUKE OF A KAPPA ON A TORTOISE
By Yoshikosai, signed Yoshikosai 吉好斉
Japan, 19th century

Published: OEstasiatiska Museet (1999) Netsuke, p. 45.
Exhibited: OEstasiatiska Museet, Sweden, Stockholm, 16 October 1999 - 9 January 2000.

Carved as a kappa seated on a tortoise which has mostly retreated into its shell, with only the head peeking out. The kappa with long, finely incised hair, webbed fingers and toes, and warty skin is rendered by many raised ukibori pimples. The kappa's eyes are double-inlaid in pale and dark horn, while the tortoise's eyes are inlaid in dark horn. The tortoise with neatly incised limbs and carapace. The underside with two asymmetrical himotoshi and the signature YOSHIKOSAI within a rectangular reserve.

HEIGHT 4.2 cm

Condition: Very good condition with minor surface wear.
Provenance: French private collection.

Auction comparison:
The present netsuke may very well be inspired by the Toyomasa model of a kappa on tortoise. For an example of such see Bonhams, Fine Netsuke from a French Private collection, 4 November 2020, London, lot 147 (sold for 12,562 GBP).