| Fine
Antique Japanese Carved Okimono
Wood
Cutter
Ringing Bell
Signature: Mitsumasa, Meiji, 19th Century
Recorded
in: 1) The Signature Book George Lazarnick Reed Pub. 1976
2) Reikichi, The
Netsuke Handbook Tokyo 1961 No. 693
3) Meinertzhagen, F. The Art of the Netsuke
Carver, London, 1955
h. 4.5 in.(11.5cm), w. 1.75 in.(4.5cm),
d. 1.5 in.(4cm)
Condition: minor loss,
cracklines
A
fine okimono in cream to golden tones varying across the surface. Details of the
eyes and hair have been engraved in strokes of black, while the embroideries and
various other details have been filled with sepia ink. An excellent example of
okimono created by the well-known netsuke-shi Mitsumasa, a member of the Nagoya
school of Ittan. Early in the westernization that took place during the Meiji
period, the demand for netsuke was on the demise and many netsuke carvers turned
to carving okimono, one result being the production of excellent works inspired
by the everyday life and culture of traditional Japan. The
woodsman has lowered his axe and paused, perhaps to announce his presence to creatures
with a bell as a way to avoid accidentally killing them. His garb includes straw
shoes and leggings, baggy pants and a robe embroidered with geometric and foliate
motifs. His straw hat hangs behind him from a braided cord, his pleated sash is
tied in a loop; from it hangs his drinking gourd; at his feet is a basket of peonies. | 
Private Collection |
