By Masatsugu, signed Masatsugu Japan, Edo (Tokyo), mid-19th century
Skillfully carved and finely stained as a manzai performer standing on one leg, the other leg raised with the knee bent, wearing a neatly incised robe with overly long sleeves as well as a street entertainer’s hat, holding a drum in one hand, the other arm bent backwards over his shoulder. This street entertainer is one half of a manzai duo (manzaishi), consisting of a straight man (tsukkomi) and a funny man (boke), the drum and silly expression indicating this is the boke, likely having just been struck by his counterpart, a common element of this comedic double act. Signed MASATSUGU to the entertainer’s buttocks.
HEIGHT 6.2 cm
Condition: Very good condition with minor surface wear. Provenance: European collection.