Project Description

Netsuke of oni lamenting by Matsushita Otoman 

The oni crouching beside the severed arm of the Rashomon demon, its ambiguous expression not dissimilar to a broad grin. The left eye is inlaid with dark horn

Signed beneath: Otoman. Hakata, circa 1830

Length: 4 cm

Information:

Fuld lists only one of this subject, the one that was in Barry Davies, Netsuke Classics, no. 62.  An unsigned variant turned up unattributed in the sale of the Mang collection at Quinn’s Auctions, 2012, lot 529 ($12,000)

MR2621