The man half-kneeling on the oval base wearing a finely incised patterned robe with broad sleeves as well as a courtly hat tied under his chin, playing the kotsuzumi, the shoulder drum used in gagaku, the court music of the Imperial Household of Japan, with two mask boxes, one wrapped in cloth, in front of him. His expression, with the eyes almost closed and the mouth wide open, indicates that he is playing the drum with great concentration. The scene is an allusion to the Sambaso dance, a cultic dance performed in ancient Japan. The base plugged on the underside with a drum.
HEIGHT 10.5 cm
Condition: Excellent condition with only few minor traces of wear. Provenance: British collection.