A WOOD NETSUKE OF AN ONI WITH A GIANT STRAW HAT
Wood netsukeJapan19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The oni’s facial expression is twisted with pain and he is cowering under a large sugegasa, as roasted beans are thrown at him during the oni-yarai, a year-end rite to drive away the oni. He is running, wearing loincloth and has three claws on each hand, is bearded, has two small horns. His eyes are inlaid with horn. A large spiral as well as the himotoshi on the straw hat. The movement is brilliantly captured in this expressive and humorous work carved from yellow tsuge wood.HEIGHT 5.5 CMCondition: Good, complete conditionProvenance: British private collection