Project Description
Ivory Okimono of Shoki and Oni, by Kihodo Masaka
The size of a large netsuke, carved as Shoki lying on his side with his sword beneath him and a basket of peaches, leaning on an elbow, while an oni serves him wine in a large stemmed cup, all carved in minute detail. The eyes have inlaid pupils of dark horn
Signed beneath. Circa 1900
5.6 cm across
Masaka is one of the greatest carvers of okimono and netsuke of the late Meiji period. In netsuke, the only animals he carved were rats. For a good idea of the quality of his skill, see the excellent article by Bernard Hurtig in the ‘Journal of the International Netsuke Collectors’ Society’, 12/2, pp. 28-39. On p. 29 he illustrates an apparently more stained okimono of the rat catcher from 3 different angles
MR3679
