Private Collection |
Antique
Japanese Ryusa Netsuke Floral
Manju
Bamboo
Fiber Motif Netsuke
Signature: Gyokushi, 19th Century
H 2 in.(5cm.), W 2 in.(5cm.), D 0.4 in.(1cm.)
Condition: small
losses Manju
refers to the shape that resembles a popular Japanese bean paste confection, and
all netsuke in this form are called Manju, whatever the subject. Manju were highly
popular in the eighteenth century and can be seen in Ukiyo-e of the time, adorning
the fashionable garments of actors. In this example the motif is abstract floral
shapes, carved out in a lacy filigree of piercing. It is also possible that the
carving represents a section of the dried bamboo plant, with the holes where the
fiber bundles were set in the stem. The shapes are not arranged geometrically,
but cluster together naturally, like the plant forms they represent, creating
the strong graphic statement that would have made it valued as an enhancement
to the wearer’s style. Gyokushi
is listed in Reikichi 1961, and was best known for his carvings of dragons and
demons. |