Project Description
Prunus Wood Netsuke of Gama Sennin by Katsusuke Miwa
Seated with a large toad behind him
Signed. Edo. Circa 1800
Width: 4 cm
Provenance:
W.W. Winkworth and R. and F. Bushell collections
Sale, Sotheby’s London, 27th June 1979, lot 99
Sydney L. Moss Ltd., London, 2004
B. & F. Ligier
Max Rutherston Ltd
Literature:
Meintertzhagen Card Index’, described on p.572
Illustrated and discussed in true Paul Moss style in his,’ Outside the Box’, no. 18
INSJ, 21/3, Moss advertisement on p. 28
Winkworth wrote wittily of this netsuke, as quoted by Meintertzhagen: “a small seated Gama looking rather like a determined Nationalist standing up for Individualism and the ‘scientific approach’ in controversy with a bigoted Catholic, I and my toad don’t believe in any nonsense about Transubstantiation! My toad says if you’d been a tadpole once you’d have more sense than to believe in Purgatory”. Fuld, ignoring Meinertzhagen’s notes, lists 3 netsuke by Katsusuke Miwa, all of them seated Gama Sennin. Meinertzhagen lists 2 tall figures of foreigners and this Gama. Still, it is unquestionable and rare, and ‘katsusuke’ meaning worthy follower, one assumes an apprentice to the first master
MR5328
