A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF THE FOX MOTHER KUZUNOHA WITH CHILDUnsigned, wood netsukeJapan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Another netsuke which depicts the mythical powers of the kitsune (fox). In Japanese folklore there was a nobleman named Abe no Yasuna, who battled a hunter of foxes, and set free a white fox. He sustained several wounds in the battle, however a beautiful woman named Kuzunoha came along and nursed him back to health. The woman is actually the fox he saved, taking on human form. They fall in love and get married, and have a child named Abe no Seimei. This finely carved netsuke depicts the fox mother Kuzunoha caressing the child Abe no Seimei wrapped in a cloth and holding a paintbrush, made from bone, in her mouth. Natural himotoshi between the bushy tail and left paw.HEIGHT 3.8 CMCondition: Excellent conditionProvenance: British private collection with two valuations from Sotheby's, by Neil K. Davey, dated 1974 & 1984, inventory no. 69Auction comparison: A similar netsuke was sold at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, London, 17 May 2012, lot 77.