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Antique Japanese Netsuke
Sennin
Kikujido
Painting chrysanthemum
Petal
Signature:
Masanao III, early 20th Century
H 1.5 in.(3.5cm), W 1.25 in.(3cm), D 1.25 in.(3cm)
Condition: Excellent!
Since
the introduction of Buddhism in the 6th Century, the Japanese were under the influence
of Buddhist teaching and Chinese culture. As a result, everyone from the educated
to the illiterate became familiar with certain outstanding Chinese history. Among
a great mass of legend and folklore, the Japanese netsukeshi found innumerable
interesting subjects, such as this beautifully executed netsuke attributed to
Masanao III, which depicts Kikujido, an attendant of the Chinese Emperor Boku-O
of the Western Zhou dynasty (1027-771 B.C.). For inadvertently soiling the Emperor's
cushion, he was sent into exile. However, before his departure, Boku-O took pity
on the boy and taught him a Buddhist sutra received from the Buddha. Kikujido
was sent to a distant valley where chrysanthemums grew in profusion. Where he
passed the time chanting and writing the sutra on the chrysanthemums petals and
casting them into a stream. As they were picked up by people lived near by, these
petals were found to impart power and allay hunger and thirst, and water from
the steam became an elixir of everlasting youth. |
Sold To Private Collection |
