Early 19th century boxwood netsuke of seated Thunder God Raiden, his drums that he uses to create thunder behind his back. Wonderful face with a touch of madness, excellent detailing, beautiful patina. There is an old restoration to a section of his scarf under the left arm - see left photo on Enlargement 5. Height 1.5 inches.

19th century tall netsuke carved as a dancing fox standing on its hind legs with its front paws raised to one side and its tail erect. This particular model seems to represent the Inari fox - the benevolent and well disposed creature, being the messenger of the God of rice and harvest, as opposed to the other foxes, which are generally believed to be evil creatures...

19th century netsuke of a head of a nio - (also called Kongōrikishi) - a wrathful and muscular guardians of the Buddha standing at the entrance of a Buddhist temple. Nio are dharmapala manifestations of the bodhisattva Vajrapani, the oldest and most powerful of the Mahayana Buddhist pantheon. This particular image represents Naraen Kongo, his mouth is closed representing the vocalization of the sound “N” - the last letter of the Sanskrit alphabet...

19th century marine ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) in ball shape carved in the round with Thunder God Raiden running through the clouds beating his drums, thus creating thunder. Beautifully carved, excellent patina, metal liner to the central hole. Diameter 0.61 inches.

19th century marine ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) in ball shape carved in the round with shishi (Buddhist lion) frolicking among rocks and flowers. Beautifully carved, excellent patina, metal liner to the central hole. Diameter 0.68 inches.

Early 19th century boxwood netsuke of a seated inebriated oni with a sake cup in one hand, and the other raised to his head indicating a hangover. Strong early carving, great face, inlaid pupils and horns, powerful muscular limbs. Himotoshi is formed by his legs, very good patina. Height 2 inches.

Late 19th century netsuke of a peasant seated on a bundle of firewood smoking a pipe and helping to light the pipe of the other man with a rain hat. Old loss to the smoking parts of both pipes, Very good carving, great faces, multiple inlays to their clothes. Signed CHIKUZAN on inlaid lacquer plaque on the bottom - there is an artist who signed with these characters listed in NETSUKE by Neil Davey (p. 453, number 147), but I am not sure it is the one who carved this netsuke...

19th century netsuke in a shape of a sake cup made out of half of kurumi (walnut shell) with lacquered inside and silver floret shaped fitting with a loop for hanging. Very clever piece, beautiful warm patina, old stable crack lines, well done old kintsugi (gold lacquer) repair. Length 1.4 inches.

Late 19th century netsuke of four blind men fighting, characteristic bumps on their heads. Excellent carving with a lot of detailing, superb faces, subtly incised textile patterns, very pleasant patina. Height 1.46 inches.

19th century netsuke of an octopus wearing a jacket and towering over a monkey seated on an abalone shell. Unusual subject - normally they are wrestling, but here it does not seem to be the case - the monkey is smiling. Superbly carved, excellent faces, wonderful detailing - see the coat of the monkey and abalone texture. Eyes of the octopus are inlaid with black horn. Beautiful wear and patina consistent with age, turning yellow on the back...

19th century netsuke carved as a Chinese sage holding an oni mask in his hands, and a little boy seated by his feet. Wonderful carving, excellent faces, superb staining, graceful flow of their robes and delicately incised textile patterns. Wonderful warm yellow patina, very pleasant finish to the surface, old age lines. Signed NAOMITSU in irregular reserve on the back - the artist is listed on p. 822 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick...

18th century netsuke of a standing Dutchman with his mouth open, clutching a long-tailed rooster to his chest with one hand, wearing a hat, long coat, gaiters and shoes. Rare subject - Englebert Kaempfer (doctor with the Dutch East India Company who traveled to Edo in 1691-92) singing for Shogun Tsunayoshi at the annual reception of the foreigners in Edo...

18th century decent size wooden netsuke of standing sennin (Chinese sage) wearing a robe and a leaf cape robe and stroking his long beard. Very strong early carving, wonderfully captured facial expression, beautiful flowing lines of the robe, superb sense of volume. Does not stand of flat surface, large differently sized himotoshi in accordance with the habit of the time, superb patina. Excellent netsuke. Height 3.55 inches (90 mm).

Early 19th century boxwood netsuke of a frog on a folded decaying lotus leaf. Very strong early carving, perfectly captured posture, wonderful representation of shapes and textures. Excellent finish, beautiful wear and patina. Signed KYOGETSU in rectangular reserve on the bottom. Length 2.2 inches.

19th century lacquered netsuke of an actor in a role of a shojo with fan and a ladle. Shojo are mythical creatures living near the sea, and are particularly fond of sake. Great face, superb rendition of Noh theater robe with gold lacquer and iridescent mother of pearl, characteristic red lacquer hair, in excellent condition. Signed SHUGYOKU (can also be read as Hidetama) on the bottom - the artist is discussed on p...

19th century lacquered boxwood netsuke of a recumbent goat, its head turned back and resting on its haunch. Excellent carving capturing the essence of the creature, wonderful depiction of its coat, eyes are inlaid with amber, excellent wear and patina.. Length 2.07 inches.

19th century wooden netsuke of two frogs frolicking on differently sized peony buds with stems. Wonderfull quality carving (see finely incised petals texture) carved, very beautiful warm patina. Signed GYOKUSEKI on the bottom - there is Gyokuseki listed on p. 428 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick, but this is much better quality carving than his usual work, probably a different carver with the same name. Length 2 inches.

19th century wooden netsuke of a turtle with its head and limbs hidden inside the carapace. Elegant strong carving, wonderful rhythm to the sections of the carapace, beautiful depiction of the creature. Central plastron on the back is removable and has a hole at the lower tip that serves as himotoshi. Wonderful patina, very pleasant to handle. Length 1.6 inches.

Early 19th century wooden netsuke of a lotus pod with 2 seeds that can move inside their sockets. Great early carving, dark dense fruitwood, himotoshi (cord opening) formed by the stem of the pod. Beautiful mellow patina from handling, in great condition. Pod diameter 1.66 inches.

19th century netsuke of a toad, a snake and a slug on rockery with bamboo grass. The subject of the netsuke is sansukumi: a combination of a snake, which eats a toad, which eats a slug, whose slime is poisonous to a snake - thus forming the circle of deaths. Beautiful rendition of textures - the skin of toad and snake, bamboo and rock surfaces. Warm patina and very pleasant wear to the surface, himotoshi (cord openings) are very cleverly carved as irregular holes in the rock...

19th century netsuke depicting 2 boys mimicking Sambaso and Manzai performers, with one playing a drum, and the other wearing a theatrical mask of Hyottoko (perplexed peasant) and holding a fan and a rattle. Excellent detailed carving, wonderful faces, beautiful etching of textile patterns and hair tufts. Beautiful patina - mellow yellowing on the back, overall in great condition. Signed HOMIN with kakihan (monogram of the artist) on the bottom - the artist must have been a student of Hokei...

19th century netsuke of an oni holding an octopus on its shoulder. Wonderful, probably unique subject, great carving, both characters bear a surprised expression, excellent patina. Height 1.6 inches

Ivory netsuke depicting a dromedary with a long neck that bends backwards. The surface is distinguished by its shine and blonde patina, with color transitions ranging from yellow to lighter ivory. To the touch, the netsuke feels soft and smooth. Origin: Japan Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 4 x 3.5 x 1.7 cm. State of conservation: Very good

Ivory netsuke depicting a rat with black horn eyes. The rat is represented resting on its hind legs, while its long tail surrounds an acorn that it is gnawing with its front legs. The object is accompanied by an original label which certifies its origin from the former Tamanini collection in Milan. Origin: Japan Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 3.4 x 4.3 x 2.9 cm. State of conservation: Very good

19th century netsuke of a man with a horn on his head, bent under the weight of a richly dressed woman on his back. The subject of the netsuke is Ikkaku Sennin (single horn Sage), a supernatural being born of a doe. According to a Japanese legend, he grew angry with the Rain Dragons and sealed them away in a cave, causing a drought...

18th century stag antler netsuke of Kan no Koso with a long sword in one hand and a severed head of the slain dragon in the other. Kan no Koso is the Japanese name for Liu Bang, the founder and first emperor (Gaozu) of the Han Dynasty. Very strong early carving, great depiction of of his severe face, graceful flow to the lines of his robe, superb wear and patina. Porous centers of the antler on top and bottom are plugged as is usual in such pieces, and the plugs are carved as part of the netsuk...

19th century wooden netsuke of Shoki the Demon Queller getting foot massage from an oni. Rather unusual subject, very nicely carved out of dense sakura wood with beautiful color and patina. Wonderful faces, eyes are inlaid with metal, in great condition. Length 1.36 inches.

Early 19th century boxwood netsuke of yamabushi - wandering warrior priest recognizable by tokin (skull cap) on his head - sitting inside a huge shell made into a trumpet, and blowing into yet another trumpet shell. Usually for this subject the person in the shell is considered to be Benkei. Horagai - (trumpet shell - Charonia Tritonis) were often fitted with a mouthpiece on the thin end, and used as war trumpets. Strong early carving, wonderful severe face, bronze mouthpiece and stud inlays on ...

19th century ichii (yew wood) netsuke of a resting wild boar, its feet tucked beneath it, head raised. Netsuke is skillfully carved by the master of the Hida school in characteristic ittobori (one cut) style with clever use of wood texture to represent the creature’s fur and add to charm of the piece. For similar examples see Bushell’s NETSUKE FAMILIAR AND UNFAMILIAR, p. 128. Excellent rendition of facial expression, wonderful mellow patina. Signed SUKENAGA on the bottom - for a detailed dis...

Early 19th century boxwood netsuke in a shape of a hexagonal ema plaque with low relief carving of a horse galloping among flowers. In some early Shinto traditions of Japan, horses were seen as carrying messages from the kami (spirits or gods), and were usually used to transmit requests during droughts or famines. Ema (literally “picture-horse’) are small wooden plaques with painted images, they are commonly sold in Shinto shrines, and on which worshippers write prayers or wishes. Ema are le...

19th century netsuke of Hotei wading through a swirling water as he carries a boy in a woven straw high rain hat on his back. The subject is a wonderful mitate (humorous reference) to Ikkaku Sennin crossing a stream with the Lady of Benares. Nicely carved, wonderful smiling faces, beautifully rendered robe lines and incised textile patterns, wear consistent with age, great patina. Signed TOMOYUKI on the bottom - the artist is listed on p. 1167 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGN...

18th century netsuke of a kneeling boy wearing checkered jacket and a theatrical mask of a demon with his hands by his ears intent on listening. Strong early piece with wonderful wear and fantastic honey colored patina on the back where netsuke was touching the silk of kimono. Great vicious mask, wonderful textile pattern (worn in the middle of the back). Old loss to the tips of his fingers on the right hand. Himotoshi (cord openings) going through the back down to the hollowed bottom, which is ...

19th century lacquered boxwood netsuke of a horagai - a trumpet shell (Charonia Tritonis). These shells in Japan were often fitted with a mouthpiece on the thin end, and used as war trumpets. Beautifully carved netsuke in Japanese taste, muted lacquer colors with some wear exposing the wood underneath, tiny chipped areas along the ridge of the shell, excellent feel of age to the piece. Length 2.42 inches.

Unusually sculptural 19th century good size netsuke of 2 shishi fighting over a hollow pierced ball. Extraordinary carving with superb detailing and volume - see their faces, powerful paws and muscular limbs, tufts of hair and long bushy tails. Expert staining, beautiful patina, very pleasant to the touch. Equally exceptional when viewed from the back. Formerly in the collection of Scott Meredith - see Barry Davies 1995 catalog 100 SELECTED PIECES FROM THE NETSUKE COLLECTION OF SCOTT MEREDITH, #...

19th century netsuke of a kneeling boy holding a theatrical mask of Hyottoko (perplexed peasant) above a paper pinwheel on a stick. Extraordinary portrait quality face with a slight smile, superb carved textile patterns on his robe, clever use of ink to highlight his hair. Beautifully carved knot on his back, wonderful patina and wear. Signed on the bottom SHORAKU - the artist is Ono Shoraku, discussed on p. 972 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Leng...

19th century netsuke depicting a group of three turtles - one large, and two smaller ones climbing on its back. Superb quality work, stained dark brown with natural color showing on the carapace of one of them, beautiful patina. Serious classic netsuke in excellent condition. Length 1.34 inches.

19th century netsuke of Benkei as yamabushi (a wandering priest) emerging out of a huge horagai (a war trumpet made out of a shell) and blowing into a smaller one, and holding a shakujo (Buddhist priest rattle) in his hand. The tokin (scull cap) on his head is the sign of the yamabushi, and horagai - (a trumpet shell - Charonia Tritonis) were often fitted with a mouthpiece on the thin end, and used as war trumpets. Shakujo are used to scare off insects, and thus prevent the carrier from stepping...

19th century netsuke of 2 biwa (loquat) fruits on a stem. Elegant design in Japanese taste, superb quality realistic carving down to the last detail - see the rendition of bark on branches and perfectly etched terminals of the fruits. Beautiful wear and patina, himotoshi formed by natural openings in the carving. Signed MASATSUGU in oval reserve on the stem - the artist is listed on p. 740 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Height 1.21 inches.

19th century good size boxwood netsuke of a bamboo shoot with a hollow section in the lower half with anabori (cavern carving) of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove assembled around a Go board. There are 7 faces inside, impossible to photograph, but can be seen with a flashlight. Beautiful carving, superb patina, extremely pleasant feel of age. Signed YOSHIKIYO SAKU (made by Yoshikiyo) on the bottom - the artist is listed on p. 1234 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by ...

Early 19th century netsuke of a foreigner with a fierce face sitting next to a large hollowed ball with circular openings in it. The subject may be a play on the concept of sūnyata - "emptiness", “vacuity" or “nothingness”, and the "tenne" ribbon around the body may suggest a Celestial figure. Excellent face, superb depiction of limbs and clothes, eyes are inlaid with black horn, beautiful wear and patina. Signed YOSHINOBU on the side of the ball and sealed KAORU on the bottom - the artis...

19th century boxwood netsuke of a standing blind masseur leaning on his staff and with both of his feet on one geta (clog sandal) while he is pulling out a large rock lodged in the base of his other geta. Rather unusual subject, the character easily recognizable by a habitual bump on his head and oversized blind eye inlaid with horn. Perfectly captured mood of the scene, great detailing of his face and clothing, rich warm patina with beautiful staining, in excellent condition. Signed ISSHO on th...

19th century netsuke of a terrified oni protecting himself with a huge old straw hat from being pelleted by beans during a setsubun ceremony. Setsubun is performed during the New Year by throwing beans around the house to exorcise the oni. Excellent carving of its muscular limbs, wonderful distressed face, great depiction of woven hat texture and beans striking it, beautiful warm patina. Signed KOMIN in oval reserve on the back - the artist is listed on p. 664 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW T...

19th century boxwood netsuke depicting seated Zen Buddhism Patriarch Daruma wearing characteristic cape and leaning with his back on a huge octopus tentacle, his head tilted slightly to one side, with hand to ear, and a look on his face that suggests he is hearing something unusual. This netsuke likely suggests the short Kyogen farce “Tako (octopus)”: a traveling priest encounters the ghost of an octopus that was captured and killed the previous spring and described by a local villager as "h...

19th century boxwood netsuke of a boy playing with a puppy holding a length of rope, with the other end of it in the mouth of the puppy. Very good carving, great face, nice hairwork on the puppy and detailing of the clothes, wonderful wear and patina. Himotoshi (cord opening) goes through the back down to the bottom of the netsuke. Signed NAOKAZU on the bottom - for information on the artist see NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick, p. 821. Height 1.23 inch...

19th century netsuke carved out of kurumi (natural walnut shell) with two panels depicting, respectively, 4 and 3 scholars around a low table heating up wine and food by the rocks under pine branches and moon among wispy clouds. Full moon and chrysanthemum design surrounding one himotoshi suggest otsukimi - a moon viewing party - traditionally held in September. Fabulous clever crisp carving, well captured quiet mood of the scenes, precisely carved diaper ground. Fantastic deep warm brown patina...

Rather unusual 18th century stag antler netsuke carved as young Yoshitsune holding naginata (a machete on a wooden shaft) as he performs a high jump over the hand of warrior monk Benkei on the Gojo Bridge. For an account of the historical encounter of Yoshitsune and Benkei at the Gojo bridge in Kyoto see H. Joly LEGEND IN JAPANESE ART, p. 82. Unusual treatment of the subject, supremely clever use of the natural shape of available carving material. Wonderful dynamic composition, strong early carv...

19th century boxwood netsuke of Okame holding a setsubun bean box in one hand and throwing beans with the other. Setsubun is performed during the New Year by throwing beans around the house to exorcise the evil spirits. Excellent carving with wonderful face and beautifully incised textile pattern of pine saplings, expert staining, beautiful mellow patina. Signed HIROTSUGU on the back - the artist is listed on p. 469 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. ...

Late 19th century boxwood netsuke of a seated puppy. Very nicely carved, great depiction of its chubby body and pensive facial expression. Very pleasant wear and patina, old stable shrinkage lines as seen on photos. Length 1.45 inches.

Late 19th to early 20th century wooden netsuke carved in a shape of a toy bear with red lacquer symbol on its back, which is an early pictograph representing the sun. Clever design, beautiful simplicity to the object, dense hardwood, eyes are inlaid, wonderful patina. Length 2.28 inches.

19th century wooden netsuke of standing Saigyo Hoshi with his attributes of a large hat and a staff as he looks upward toward the summit of Mount Fuji. Saigyo Hoshi was a member of the Fujiwara clan, a poet and a priest, as well as a military advisor to the Shogun Yoritomo. Netsuke is beautifully carved out of kurogaki (black persimmon wood) with excellent face and wonderful flow to the lines of the robe. Wear consistent with age, beautiful characteristic sheen to the surface it the wood. Height...

Late 19th century Japanese ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) in a form of a natural fruit pit skillfully carved with 2 scenes of scholars engaged in discussions among bamboo and banana plants. Very good carving in deep relief with precise undercutting, nice mellow patina, overall in excellent condition. Height 0.57 inches.

Late Meiji to early Taisho (1920s) Japanese Kutani porcelain obidome (sash ornament) with enamel decoration of various auspicious objects: coins, key, scroll, magical raincoat, Precious Gem and others. Obidome is worn on an obi cord that holds the obi sash together, it is the only type of jewelry worn by Japanese women on formal occasions, and could serve as netsuke as well. Nice design, excellent quality painting with gold and other enamels, bar on the back for an obi cord. Marked on the back b...

Height: 4.8 cm (1.9 in)
Width: 2.5 cm (1 in)
Depth: 1.7 cm (0.6 in)

Japanese carved netsuke of a standing man; inlaid horn to hair and shirt buttons; finely stained; very well modelled; natural material; a/f to side

Boxwood netsuke in the shape of a trunk, based on the ikebana stand.

In the floral art of ikebana, the flower holder (kenzan) is placed in the base. The flower stems are planted on in. Sometimes a support of this shape is used as decoration, with the flower holder placed inside.

Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912), 19th century
Width: 1.6 in (4 cm) – depth: 1.2 in (3 cm) – height: 0.4 in (1.7 cm)

Deer horn netsuke, carved naturally from root of the antler.

Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912), 19th century
Width: 1.6 in (4.5 cm) – depth: 2 in (5 cm) – height: 0.8 in (2.8 cm)

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of an oni with a thoughtful expression. Excellent intense face, great patina. Crisp detailing, nicely lacquered, some wear to the surface. Signed RYUUN on the back bar - the artist is listed in NETSUKE MASKS by Raymond Bushell, p. 175, signatures 241-243. Height 1.14 inches.

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of O-Beshimi. Uncommon image, excellent intense face, great patina. Crisp detailing, nicely lacquered, some wear to the surface. Signed RYUUN on the back bar - the artist is listed in NETSUKE MASKS by Raymond Bushell, p. 175, signatures 241-243. Height 1.07 inches.

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of a one-horned oni. Uncommon image, excellent intense face, great patina. Crisp detailing, nicely lacquered, some wear to the surface. Signed RYUUN on the back bar - the artist is listed in NETSUKE MASKS by Raymond Bushell, p. 175, signatures 241-243. Height 1.27 inches.

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of an oni with a pensive face. Uncommon image, excellent intense face, great patina. Crisp detailing, nicely lacquered, some wear to the surface. Signed RYUUN on the back bar - the artist is listed in NETSUKE MASKS by Raymond Bushell, p. 175, signatures 241-243. Height 1.2 inches.

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of Namanari. The mask is mostly used in the play The Cursed Metal Head-Ring for the role of the wife who is crazed with jealosy beyond any possibility of redemption. Uncommon image, excellent ferocious face, long lower jaw resulting in wide open mouth, great patina. Crisp detailing, nicely lacquered, some wear to the surface. Signed RYUUN on the back bar - the artist is listed in NETSUKE MASKS by Raymond Bushell, p...