A beautifully carved early 19th century Netsuke depicting Li No Hayata slaying the Nue.
Emperor Konoe, blighted by a dark cloud that caused him to endure terrible dreams and sleepless nights, summoned Minamoto Yorimasa to rid him of this evil. Yorimasa was a great warrior and arrived with his retainer Li No Hayata to help the emperor.
One night, Yorimasa noticed a strange shape within the cloud and fired an arrow towards it, and a Nue, injured, crashed to the ground. Yorimasa’s retainer, Li No Hayata who was nearby, engaged the Nue and, after a short skirmish, slayed the beast.
Our netsuke depicts that final thrust of the sword, as Hayata beats the Nue and rids the Emperor of the evil that blighted him. It’s a netsuke full of movement, with the detail well picked out, the wood has gained a dark warm patina adding to the beauty of this piece.
A Nue, a mystical beast with the face of a monkey, the legs and body of a tiger and a snake’s head at the tip of its tail. (it’s also worth noting that it can also be depicted with a badger’s body)
3.9 cm
Inscribed to the base Miwa with seal
If you would would like to enquire further about this netsuke you can use the following methods:
Phone or Whatsapp: +447534 423 803
Email: robert@willford-ja.co.uk
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