A WOOD NETSUKE OF TENAGA AS A FISHERMAN WITH A SEABREAM
Wood netsuke with small inlaysJapan19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)This islander, naked apart from a loincloth, is presumably the long-armed Tenaga, usually depicted with the long-legged Ashinaga. He is seated on a piece of rock surrounded by water and is proudly holding a tai (seabream) he captured. This tai is also seen with the lucky god Ebisu. The facial expression with inlaid eyes is very well crafted. Large irregular himotoshi and signature, which is partly illegible due to significant wear (second character Tei and Sada), on the underside. The sprays from the waves are inlaid with small pieces of coloured ivory.HEIGHT 3.5 CMCondition: Good, complete conditionProvenance: British private collection