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large and intricate netsuke, carved from a single piece of fine tusk ivory, polished
and lightly stained, displaying a variety of textures, from the smooth-cheeked
pugnacious face and embroidered, folded and gathered fabrics of different weights,
to the braided cord hanging from the sword and the heavier rope tied at the back,
depicting the richness and exaggerated drama of the Kabuki theatre, and in particular
the Jidaimono, or history plays, usually set in the distant past, such as the
Heian (794-1185) or Kamakura (1185-1336), or at the time of civil war between
the Heike and Genji clans (late 12th century.) Characters may be aristocrats such
as samurai, lords, princesses and empresses, and often a kind of superhero will
dominate the drama, presenting the opportunity for the netsuke carver to display
his gifts in a dramatic medium which despite its small size can rise to heroic
proportions as in this extravagantly conceived and decorated Samurai figure. As
in mentioned in The Trumpf Collection Patrizia Schmitz Arnoldshe 2000 (Netsuke
112 Meisterwerke). Kogetsu shown great interests in Kabuki themes. Signature in
reserve on plaque of red coral, the artist’s characteristic flourish. |
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