A WOOD NETSUKE OF AN UZUME PARODY WITH LASCIVIOUS SYMBOLISM BY MASANAO
Wood netsukeJapan, Ise-Yamada19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Very skilled craftmanship of this figural composition, presumably somewhat teasingly depicting a slightly corpulent person, an allusion to the Shinto goddess Uzume (okame). She wears a head scarf, is chubby-cheeked, has one shoulder bared, one arm raised high and the sleeve end shows the genital, female symbol. Somewhat peculiar is that she has a tobacco pouch and kiseruzutsu attached to an ashtray netsuke hanging from her obi (belt). On the reverse are himotoshi, above the signature MASANAO, an artist of the circle of Masanao of Ise-Yamada.HEIGHT 5.4 CMCondition: Excellent condition with an attractive patinaProvenance: Austrian collection