Japan, late Edo to Meiji Period, ca. 1800 to 1912 CE. This is a beautiful dark boxwood netsuke with heavily detailed, realistic carving on all sides and a red signature done in red on white on the underside. This one is signed by Wang Si. Wang is a rare name in Japan and often denotes someone of Chinese descent. The shape of the netsuke is of a blind, old man struggling to lift a heavy stone, a common netsuke theme. The realism of the piece speaks to the 19th century Japanese interest in naturalism. Size: 1.15" L x 1.55" W x 1.5" H (2.9 cm x 3.9 cm x 3.8 cm)

The netsuke is an example of the art of everyday objects. They are small sculptures designed to be worn so that objects could be suspended from the traditional sash (obi) that wraps around the kimono. They were used to carry purses, smoking accoutrement, and inro, "seal baskets", which held seals and medicines. The netsuke, made with two holes through it, was used as a toggle to stop the cord on which those items were suspended. Netsuke have a quality, aji in Japanese, that means they have a smooth surface that is pleasing to touch; patina, through extensive handling and age, enhances aji, and this piece has a very fine aji. The story that is told by it is a common one in netsuke art: a blind man, probably a masseur, flexes his arms to lift a heavy stone. Being blind was considered a karmic retribution for errors in a past life, but the blind were welcomed into the guild of masseurs and lifted heavy stones to build up their arm muscles for the job. Many carvers took pleasure in emphasizing the facial expression and body shape of the figure, as the carver of this one has.

Provenance: ex-private Santa Fe, NM collection

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#115791

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