Page 28 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

20 | AN IVORY NETSUKE OF 21 | A LARGE AND AMUSING
THE FOX PRIEST HAKUSOZU IVORY NETSUKE OF A TANUKI
WITH HUGE SCROTUM
Unsigned
Japan, 18th century, Ed period (1615-1868) Unsigned
Japan, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period
(1615-1868)
An ivory netsuke of a kitsune (fox) disguised as a fully
clothed and hooded priest holding a long bamboo
cane with its human hands in front of its body. Its long A large ivory netsuke of a tanuki struggling to hold
foxlike head is lowered and turned to the left. The up his gigantic scrotum, which is pressed onto his
face is carved with very good detail and the mouth is face. The tanuki is a magical shapeshifting creature
slightly opened, baring teeth. The flowing priestly robe which resembles a raccoon dog. Here he is shown
is finely stippled. Large asymmetrical himotoshi to the with distinct human features, such as his muscular
reverse. Excellent patina. arms and legs, and the loincloth, incised with dotted
patterns, and headband he is wearing. According to
HEIGHT 8.1 cm legend, this creature utilized its distended scrotum
to suffocate hunters. Fine patina and large himotoshi
Condition: One tiny chip to the right ear. Expected age through the back.
cracks. Good, complete condition.
Provenance: German private collection. HEIGHT 7.1 cm

Hakusozu is the name of a popular kitsune character Condition: Good, worn condition with several age
who shapeshifted into a priest to in the Kyogen play cracks. Old, worn down chip to the edge of the feet.
Tsurigitsune. Kitsune (foxes) are creatures imbued Provenance: British collection.
with magical powers and are known to have the
ability of shapeshifting. They are also believed to be Estimate EUR 2.000,-
animated by the devils. Starting price EUR 1.000,-
Auction comparison: For a figure of comparable
quality see Bonhams, The Harriet Szechenyi Sale of
Japanese Art, 8 November 2011, London, lot 73. Also
see Zacke, Fine Netsuke, Sagemono & Okimono, 2
November 2019, Vienna, lot 239.
Estimate EUR 3.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.500,-

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