18th century boxwood netsuke of minogame (turtle with dragon head and bushy tail, usually associated with longevity) sitting on water lily leaf. Strong early carving, great detailing of the turtle, its carapace, tail and head. Length 2.1 inches.

19th century wooden sashi netsuke made out of natural length of root wood. Elegant simple piece in Japanese taste, himotoshi by the top for hanging, extraordinary beautiful patina, great feel of age, excellent piece for a scholar’s desk. Length 6.25 inches.

Unusual late Taisho (1920s) netsuke of kagamibuta (mirror lid) type with wooden bowl, rotating himotoshi peg and cloisonné top decorated with numerous flowers. Very well made, beautiful enamel colors, in superb condition. Bowl diameter 1.72 inches.

Unusual 19th century lacquer ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) of seed shape with faceted surface showing variously colored layers of lacquer from which the piece was built. Wonderful design piece, metal liner, in great condition. Height 0.67 inches.

19th century cypress wood small okimono representing standing Daruma (founder of Zen Buddhism) enveloped in his monastic robe dramatically billowing in the wind. The sculpture is skillfully carved out of Japanese cypress branch in ittobori (one cut) style characteristic of Hida Province with clever use of natural wood shape, structure and texture as elements of design. Excellently conveyed expression of extreme concentration on Daruma’s face, beautiful patina...

19th century Asakusa school staghorn netsuke in manju shape with openwork carving of a winged water dragon in flight among clouds. Superb design and excellent quality sharp carving, beautiful warm patina, darker porous areas as is usual with staghorn. Loss to the part of the inner ring (not visible when manju is put together, photo #5, lower right image) not affecting integrity of the piece. Diameter 1.6 inches.

Late Meiji - early Taisho (1900-1920) okimono size wooden mask of the old man Okina with its typical smiling expression. Actual size masks are used in Sambaso dance. Wonderfully captured facial expression, good representation of its hanging lower jaw, great quality carving typical for the Hida school. The material is ichii (Japanese yew wood) with clever use of wood texture to add to the charm of the piece...

Late Meiji - early Taisho (1900-1920) okimono size wooden mask of smiling Okame. Wonderfully captured facial expression, cleverly exaggerated cheeks sticking out, great quality carving typical for the Hida school. The material is ichii (Japanese yew wood) with clever use of wood texture to add to the charm of the piece. Signed SUKEZUMI on the back - the artist must have been a Hida school carver and worked on netsuke as well. Height 5 inches.

19th century Asakusa school stag antler netsuke of a seated tanuki (badger) with its enormous belly, an inscribed sake bottle in one paw, an accounting book in the other. In Japanese folklore tanuki is a notorious trickster: it drums with his paws on its large belly (tanuki no hara tsuzumi), imitating the sounding of gongs in temples and inns, and leading tired travelers astray in the darkness. Judging by the book in its paw, this time tanuki acts as a sake vendor...

Very unusual 19th century lacquered wood netsuke of eagle talons clutching a tama (Precious Gem). Beautifully carved out of dark dense wood (probably kurogaki - black persimmon), gold lacquer highlights to the folds of the talons, tama is lacquered in Negoro style - red lacquer over black, so as it wears the black and later wood start showing. Beautiful wear and patina. Length 1.7 inches.

Late Meiji to early Taisho (1910s) wooden netsuke of a bamboo shoot. Excellent realistic carving utilizing texture and natural growth lines of the material (ichii - Japanese yew wood) to represent the texture of the leaves. Wonderful sense of volume, very pleasant to hold. Cursively inscribed by himotoshi - may be a signature or a rendition of Japanese character TAKE (bamboo). Height 2.67 inches.

19th century Asakusa school staghorn netsuke of obihasami type inlaid with metal tama (Precious Gem) and dots. The hooks at the top and bottom of the piece go around the edges of obi - a sash holding a kimono. Excellent clever piece typical of Asakusa school, warm patina, darker porous areas as is usual with staghorn. Metal appears to be silver. Length 4.19 inches (106.5 mm).

19th century wooden netsuke carved as double theatrical masks of Okina and Okame. Nice pairing of characters, excellent quality carving, wonderful faces, great detailing, beautiful wear and rich lustrous patina. Height 1.5 inches.

Early 19th century lacquered wood netsuke of a turtle on a folded lotus leaf. Strong early carving with clever design, wood is lacquered in Negoro style - red lacquer over black, so as it wears the black and later wood start showing. Beautiful wear and patina. Length 1.7 inches.

19th century Asakusa school staghorn netsuke of two old broken roof tiles. Strong piece in Japanese taste typical of Asakusa school, beautiful dark staining, warm patina, darker porous areas as is usual with staghorn. Length 1.8 inches.

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, all among swirling clouds. Excellent carving in deep relief with precise undercutting and complete piercing of the body of the pit. Very nice mellow brown patina, in excellent condition. Height 1/2 inches.

19th century netsuke in kagamibuta (“mirror lid”) with cinnabar lacquer top carved with the character FUKU (fortune) among peony flowers. Essentially the netsuke is a wish for wealth. Very nice work, beautiful patina, compressed dust in crevices, nice old wooden bowl, with rotating peg that serves as himotoshi. Bowl diameter 1.72 inches.

19th century netsuke in kagamibuta (“mirror lid”) shape, the top carved with phoenix (the symbol of the Empress) in flight - a motif often seen on textiles. Excellent delicate work, great depiction of differentiated feathers, eye inlaid with dark horn. Beautiful patina, compressed dust in crevices, nice old wooden bowl, old silk cord. Bowl diameter 1.74 inches.