Project Description
Wood Netsuke of a Hatching Tengu by Hara Shumin (Edo, died 1875?)
Relatively small by comparison with some variants of this classic composition, the sharp beaked creature well ensconced in its shell, and with no apparent intention of leaving it, one hand/claw resting on the edge of the shell, another piercing through lower down. On the underside carved leaves and engraved pine needles represent the forest floor, as does the larger leaf shaped himotoshi, the smaller one ringed in green stained deer antler. The tengu wears the tokin of his ilk, in ebony
Signed Shumin with kao.
Width: 3.4 cm
MR5104
