Netsuke - Seated Oni
Netsuke - Seated Oni
Netsuke - Seated Oni
Netsuke - Seated Oni

Netsuke - Seated Oni

A muscular oni, seated holding a vessel in both hands, his eyes wide and teeth gritted, legs pulled up and feet pressed together forming a compact composition. The surface of the wood is nicely worn, displaying a beautiful deep patina. To the underside, the oni’s loincloth forms the bar for the himotoshi.

It has previously been suggested that the vessel the oni holds is a shrine that the oni had stolen from Bishamon Ten. This could be the intended subject, although in all the netsuke I’ve encountered of that subject the oni is on a cloud escaping, or Bishamon himself is present and the shrine looks, well, more shrine-like. If you look into the top of the vessel you can see what appears to be liquid – perhaps our oni is drunk and fears losing his sake, so clings to it with all his might?

Circa 1790

Unsigned

4.6cm tall

3.5cm wide

3.3cm deep

Similar example:

The Julius and Arlette Katchen Collection of Fine Netsuke Part III, lot number 19

If you are interested in purchasing this netsuke you can contact me via the details below.

Phone or Whatsapp: +447534 423 803

Email: robert@willford-ja.co.uk

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