Kensu as a fisherman, with a concentrated expression, bare head surrounded by a semicircle of dense locks and with the typical ear-lobes of a Sennin. He is very tall and long-legged, wearing a short, belted, and short-sleeved garment, standing behind a tall catching-pot from which an anxious little octopus is peering up at him, surrounded by a few small tentacles with suction cups, while the fisherman is hauling a huge long tentacle with both hands and all his might, bending back with the effort. Marine ivory, with a beautiful glossy surface and very good, warm, in parts shiny, natural patina. The long, curved netsuke stands in balance on its small feet. Kensu is usually shown with a large shrimp on his shoulder, though as a Sennin the octopus too is his companion creature, (see Koji Hoten, "pieuvre", vol.II, p.171/72. Vol.I, p.480, plate XXVII, no. 12 shows Kensu as a priest with a head very like ours, holding both creatures, shrimp and octopus. H.12,1cm. Condition A.
Please note that objects made of ivory, rhinoceros horn and turtle shell, due to Cites regulations can only be sold within the European Community. At present the export in third countries is prohibited.