Project Description
Wood Netsuke of a Standing Kirin by Gyokusen Tomochika
Carved from a darkish wood, probably prunus. Were it not for the hoofs on which it stands one would be tempted to think that this was a standing dragon. Its bearded mouth is indeed reminiscent of dragons by Tametaka
Signed on the left leg: Tomochika. Circa 1800
Height: 6 cm
Fuld lists 81 netsuke by this relatively unknown carver. I myself know his work from a striking group of characterful single monkeys, one in the British Museum (Barker & Smith, no. 21). Meinertzhagen was smitten by a vairabt, writing “A netsuke of the highest class, possessing all the originality and character to make it the work of a master craftsman …” and going on to make comparisons with Masanao of Kyoto. We know that the artist was apprenticed to Shõminsai Tomotada of Kyoto and Edo, but it is not clear where the pupil worked.
MR5084
