Fine
Antique Japanese Netsuke
Tekkai Sennin
On One Feet With Gourd
Signature: unsigned, Mid
18th Century
H
2.5 in.(6.5cm), W 1 in.(2.5cm), D 0.75 in.(2cm)
Condition: hairlines and slight usage wornA
classic triangulated early netsuke, compact and tapering in design, cream to gold
in color with blue age cracks, well marked with striations and crosshatching.
Forcefully graphic and well carved depiction of the Immortal Tekkai (Chinese Li
T’ieh Kuai), a master of equanimity, seen here in his characteristic stance with
staff and gourd, his resolute countenance watchful. Despite the extreme narrowing
of the design at the bottom, the piece is perfectly balanced and able to stand
on its own. 
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Private Collection | Tekkai
was an imposing figure, well built, tall and graceful. His brilliance and abilities
were acknowledged by the great Lao-Tse, who summoned him to heaven for lessons,
for which Tekkai was given the ability to exhale his soul that it might travel
without the encumbrance of his body. After a journey he returned to find his body
had been eaten by a tiger. Seeing the fresh corpse of a crippled beggar by the
road, Tekkai entered that body and lived out his life in it, cheerfully limping
along with the aid of a staff upon which he is seen resting his foot, continuing
his life as a wandering philosopher, ever generous, compassionate and devout.
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