Project Description

Large Wood Netsuke of Standing Kan’u by Minkoku I

A powerful figure grasping his halberd with both hands as if ready to use it. Tasseled chains hang from a shishi mask attached to his obi. His robe is incised with clouds. The large himotoshi are of different sizes, generously excavated behind

Signed. Late 18th century

Height: 9.4 cm

Provenance:

Private Japanese and Russian collections

Information:

While several variants of this model by Minkoku are recorded, this is amongst the largest, and the only one I know of in which Kan’u grasps the halberd with both hands. For a more static example, see, H. Goodall et al, ‘Netsuke’ (Bushell Collection at LACMA), p. 332

MR3162