Wood Netsuke of Oni and the Severed Arm of the Rashomon Demon, by Tadatsugu

The diminutive kneeling in tears beside the finely carved arm of Ibaraki, with bulging veins and muscles, as well as razor sharp nails

Signed: Tadatsugu with kaō. Circa 1800

Length: 5.7 cm

Provenance:

K. Shimizu (1931)

Literature:

‘Meinertzhagen Card Index’, p. 846, not illustrated, but described: “A striking and well carved piece, the modelling of the well-developed muscles of the arm showing much power and anatomical detail. The surface of a finely polished patina”

Fuld records only 11 netsuke by the carver, including this and one other of the subject