19th C. Japanese Kurokaki Netsuke, Ashinaga and Tenaga
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Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Netsuke and Related: Pre 1900: Item # 1368863
Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Netsuke and Related: Pre 1900: Item # 1368863
Please refer to our stock # 224 when inquiring.
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This is a finely hand carved, 19th Century Kurokaki Wood Netsuke depicting Tenaga "Long Arms" being carried on the back of Ashinaga "Long Legs". Ashinaga is wearing a mugwort skirt, while Tenaga is wearing a rice straw skirt. According to "Pointers and Clues to the Subjects of Chinese and Japanese Art", by Will Edmunds, "Ashinaga and Tenaga are mythical people supposed to inhabit the islands Ashinaga-jima, and Tenaga-jima, east of the Shakasui or Water-ladle river, all imaginary places. As they lived principally upon fish in deep water, the long-legged man walked into it bearing on his back a long-armed man who could reach down into the depths and catch the fish, which were then divided between them." Excellent form and details on this piece; very nice rendering of the characters' hair as well as their skirts; lustrous patina. Unsigned. This wonderful miniature sculpture measures 1.34 inches (3.4cm) wide, and 3.68 inches (9.4cm) tall. This is another example of a TALL* netsuke. It is in excellent condition, as shown in the posted photos. * Oversized or tall netsuke are extremely rare. According to Yakari Yoshida, in a 1999 International Netsuke Society Journal article, this type of netsuke make up approximately only one percent or less of all netsuke held at major collections. According to the author, most of these netsuke were made in the 18th and early 19th centuries, and among the subjects represented by these tall miniature sculptures are Sennin and foreigners, such as the theme of the carving listed here.
This is a finely hand carved, 19th Century Kurokaki Wood Netsuke depicting Tenaga "Long Arms" being carried on the back of Ashinaga "Long Legs". Ashinaga is wearing a mugwort skirt, while Tenaga is wearing a rice straw skirt. According to "Pointers and Clues to the Subjects of Chinese and Japanese Art", by Will Edmunds, "Ashinaga and Tenaga are mythical people supposed to inhabit the islands Ashinaga-jima, and Tenaga-jima, east of the Shakasui or Water-ladle river, all imaginary places. As they lived principally upon fish in deep water, the long-legged man walked into it bearing on his back a long-armed man who could reach down into the depths and catch the fish, which were then divided between them." Excellent form and details on this piece; very nice rendering of the characters' hair as well as their skirts; lustrous patina. Unsigned. This wonderful miniature sculpture measures 1.34 inches (3.4cm) wide, and 3.68 inches (9.4cm) tall. This is another example of a TALL* netsuke. It is in excellent condition, as shown in the posted photos. * Oversized or tall netsuke are extremely rare. According to Yakari Yoshida, in a 1999 International Netsuke Society Journal article, this type of netsuke make up approximately only one percent or less of all netsuke held at major collections. According to the author, most of these netsuke were made in the 18th and early 19th centuries, and among the subjects represented by these tall miniature sculptures are Sennin and foreigners, such as the theme of the carving listed here.