This
fine netsuke depicts a Noh actor dressed in priest costume, holding a wooden drum
in his left hand, and leaning slightly forward with his right arm raised to strike
the drum. The netsuke is designed with two well carved rotating faces, of which
a handsome lad turns into a terrifying demon with bulging eyes and fangs. The
netsuke is rounded in a triangular shape, with a slight curl makes it a joy to
play with in the hand. It is carved from a quality ivory, lightly stained and
has a beautifully aged patina.
The
signature on the base of the carving verifies the name Masayuki. A prolific 19th
century artist well known for his oni and ofuku figures. He is recorded both in
"The Netsuke Handbook" by Ueda Reikichi, and "The Signature Book" by George Larzarnick.
