Early 19th century netsuke of Sofu - one of 7 Sages of the Bamboo Grove - leading his ox away, so it will not drink from a river polluted several miles upstream when his fellow sage washed his ears after hearing about an offer for him to serve the Emperor. Very well carved, nicely captured interaction between two characters, pleasant wear consistent with age...

19th century kagamibuta (“mirror lid”) netsuke with bronze top depicting a not-so-repentant oni with a Buddhist gong striker in one hand and a votive plaque in the other as it prostrates himself to serve as a stepping stool for a beautiful maiden who is trying to reach a branch of flowering wisteria. A subtle shunga piece alluding to a good intention and a worldly temptation ruining the attempt. Excellent quality work with copper inlays and gilding. Old turned bowl with one stabilized crack...

Late 19th century boxwood netsuke of a catfish doing a bit of an acrobatic exercise. Catfish (Namazu) is believed to cause earthquakes, so this one looks to me at about 6.9 on Richter scale. Excellent quality carving, great face with finely carved numerous teeth, wonderful attention to details such as fin and tail textures, beautiful patina. Signed SHUNZAN on the belly - the artist is listed in NETSUKE by Neil Davey (p. 529, number 2618). Height 1 3/4 inches.

Tall late 18th to early 19th century wooden netsuke of a standing emaciated sennin wearing a tattered robe and leaf skirt and cape and holding onto a very long staff with gnarled top. Awesome face, wonderful knobby scull, beautiful rendition of his hair, ribs and limbs. Wood is lacquered in Negoro style - gold lacquer over red, so as the netsuke wears the color of a lower layer starts showing. Very beautifully done himotoshi on the back, superb wear and patina, very impressive sculpture...

18th century netsuke of a seated mother monkey patiently suffering the indignity of her young grabbing her ear as it climbs onto her head. Fantastic expression of existential contemplation on her face, excellent incised and etched coat, beautiful wear. Netsuke of characteristic 18th century triangular section, superb honey colored patina. Height 2 inches.

19th century kagamibuta (“mirror lid”) netsuke with wooden bowl and metal top depicting a not-so-repentant oni with a Buddhist gong on its chest and a striker in its hand as he follows a beautiful maiden who holds a branch of flowering wisteria in her hand. A subtle shunga piece alluding to a good intention and a worldly temptation ruining the attempt. Excellent quality work with copper, silver and gold inlays, in great condition...

19th century wooden netsuke of sitting Okame snickering as she fondles a long stem of a mushroom in her hand. The netsuke is definitely of shunga type with not so subtle sexual connotation. Wonderfully carved (see her endearingly ugly face, hair arrangement and flowing lines of her kimono), beautiful patina, little nicks here and there. Height 1 13/16 inches.

Height: 3.5 cm (1.3 in)
Width: 3 cm (1.2 in)
Depth: 3.7 cm (1.6 in)

Fine example of the work of Gyokkei; a stone lifter, masseur or a man attempting to lift his distended scrotum?; a tumour is also present on the back of his head; the poor fellow also has a wall-eye; signed on an inlaid tablet; good condition

18th century netsuke of a seated skinny dog wearing a collar with bell and resting one front paw on a cloth ball. Strong early piece, beautifully carved - great face with horn inlaid eyes, wonderful rendition of its spine and ribs, superbly carved paws, netsuke of characteristic 18th century triangular section, beautiful wear and patina (some irregularities on the surface on the darker colored part of its back), old age lines...

Very unusual 19th century mixed metal and wood netsuke of a boy quietly playing a reed flute while leaning against a side of a resting buffalo, 2 baskets next to him. The subject is ushidoji (also called bokudo) symbolizing the perfect peace of mind, and is considered to be one of the stages on the way to the Buddhahood. Excellent quality metalwork of shakudo (buffalo), solid silver (boy) and copper (baskets), perfectly captured mood of the scene...

19th century staghorn netsuke carved as a cluster of all 7 masks of shichifukujin - Seven Gods of Good Fortune: Ebisu - god of fishermen and merchants, Daikoku - god of wealth, commerce and trade, Bishamonten - god of warriors, Benten - goddess of knowledge, art and beauty, Fukurokuju - god of happiness, wealth and longevity, Hotei - the fat and happy god of abundance and good health, and Jurojin - god of wisdom. Essentially the netsuke is a wish for good luck and serves as a talisman as well...

19th century ichii (yew wood) netsuke of a theatrical mask of an oni - a mischievous demon. Cleverly carved in ittobori (one-cut) style characteristic of Hida school, wonderful depiction of its bushy eyebrows and toothy grin. Wonderful patina and beautiful sheen to the surface. Signed SUKEYOSHI on the back bar - the artist is listed on p. 1051 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick, and was a student of Sukenaga. Height 1 9/16 inches.

19th century kokutan (ebony) netsuke representing a theatrical mask of horned demon Hannya. Wonderful crisp detailing, beautiful lustrous patina from wear. Height 1 15/16 inches.

Unusual 19th century metal and wood netsuke of giboshi - a bridge post finial. Beautiful simple object in Japanese taste, perfectly elegant, in excellent condition. Rare subject, beautiful wear and patina. Height 1 9/16 inches.

Unusual 19th century wooden netsuke carved as a head of a dragon with a Precious Gem in its mouth. Boldly carved, strong features of the creature’s face, nice wear and patina. Length 3 inches.

Very unusual 19th century square manju netsuke made out of a slab of aventurine glass with silver fitting on the back in a shape of a samurai family crest with paulownia flowers and leaves, swinging silver loop for hanging. Superbly beautiful and rare material, absolutely stunningly sparkling in direct sunlight, does not photograph well. Three tiny chips along the edges on the front and a couple on the back, do not take away from the piece. Beautiful patina, very pleasant to hold...

Early 19th century bronze netsuke in a form of a temple bell of Miidera. For the legend of Benkei carrying the bell of Miidera see H. Joly LEGEND IN JAPANESE ART, p. 82. Pleasant piece in Japanese taste with nice casting, beautiful wear and patina. Very good piece for collection of various netsuke materials or for scholar’s desk. Height 1 1/8 inches.

Late 18th to early 19th century bronze suigaraake (ashtray) netsuke in classic bowl shape with cast decoration on the outside of 2 birds by bamboo stalks with leaves. Very well designed piece, good detailing, functional netsuke shape, hanged by a bronze ring. Nice old piece with pleasant patina on metal, the inside of the still containing ash residue. Diameter 1 5/8 inches.