Page 19 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

13 | A RARE TALL IVORY NETSUKE
OF THE PRAWN SENNIN KENSU

Unsigned
Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Published: Östasiatiska Museet (1999) Netsuke, p. 63.
Exhibited: Östasiatiska Museet, Sweden, Stockholm, 16 October
1999 – 9 January 2000.

Kensu (in Chinese Xianzi), also known as the Ebi (prawn) Sennin or
shrimp eater, was a Zen monk famous for breaking the Vinaya code
on eating meat, and thus paradoxically gaining enlightenment. He
was rumored to wander riverbanks and fish only for lobster and
clams. The tall ivory netsuke shows him holding a lobster with his
right hand over his shoulder with an ecstatic expression, signifying
his enlightenment. He wears only a straw skirt, shoes and shin
guards, his body slightly emaciated, the rib cage and spine in the
back expressed. The backside shows a fine honey patina and the
asymmetrical himotoshi.
HEIGHT 12 cm
Condition: Very good, complete condition. The ivory slightly worn
with one age crack through the back of the left arm.
Provenance: Ex collection Mrs. Gunvor Bjorkman.
Estimate EUR 5.000,-
Starting price EUR 2.500,-

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