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Tomokazu ivory netsuke
(Kyoto and Gifu, mid 18th-mid 19th cent.)
oni and club 'brush rest' type netsuke
length 1 7/8 in., 4.8 cm
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a powerful oni clad in short pants reclines while supporting himself with his right arm, he looks upward and seems to be pushing himself up as he lifts his club with his left hand; his well-defined face is expressive and his gaze is intense ; signed on the underside within a slightly irregular oval reserve, Tomokazu, early 19th century
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This is a somewhat unusual model for an oni. As a subject, oni should be a rather serious matter, as they are Buddhist demons that carry out the punishments meted out by Emma-O, The King of Hell, on the souls of sinners. However, in Japanese art oni, are frequently portrayed in some sort of amusing or compromising situation. This rising oni appears to be rather intent on his purpose and not to be trifled with.
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SOLD
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