A large and intricate netsuke, carved from a single piece of fine tusk ivory, polished and lightly stained, displaying a variety of textures, from the smooth-cheeked pugnacious face and embroidered, folded and gathered fabrics of different weights, to the braided cord hanging from the sword and the heavier rope tied at the back, depicting the richness and exaggerated drama of the Kabuki theatre, and in particular the Jidaimono, or history plays, usually set in the distant past, such as the Heian (794-1185) or Kamakura (1185-1336), or at the time of civil war between the Heike and Genji clans (late 12th century.) Characters may be aristocrats such as samurai, lords, princesses and empresses, and often a kind of superhero will dominate the drama, presenting the opportunity for the netsuke carver to display his gifts in a dramatic medium which despite its small size can rise to heroic proportions as in this extravagantly conceived and decorated Samurai figure. As in mentioned in The Trumpf Collection Patrizia Schmitz Arnoldshe 2000 (Netsuke 112 Meisterwerke). Kogetsu shown great interests in Kabuki themes. Signature in reserve on plaque of red coral, the artist’s characteristic flourish.