unsigned wood netsuke

18th century

shachi-hoko (winged dragon fish)

length 1 3/8 in., 3.5 cm

the compact carving shows the creature with its head raised, its horns falling neatly back almost reaching the upturned tail, the closed mouth with upturned corners lends it an unusually sweet expression

Bunshosei, demon patron of the written thought who is represented carrying an ink stone and brush, is sometimes depicted riding on a dragon-headed winged carp.

Provenance:
Ex Virginia Atchley Collection

Published:
Expressions of Style: Netsuke as Art, Scholten Japanese Art, New York, August 2001, no. 75