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Antique
Ivory Netsuke
Fukurokujo
Company with Goat
Netsuke Signature: Tomomitsu, Mid 19th
Century
Recorded
in: 1) "Netsuke" by Neil K. Davey, #2991
2) "The Netsuke handbook of Ueda Reikichi", #1209
3) " The Signature Book " by George Lazarnick, pg. 395
h. 1.4 in.(3.4cm.), w. 1.6 in.(4cm.), d. 1 in.(2.5cm.)
Condition: Excellent
This
small yet intimate portraiture of the God of Longevity, cheerfully
smiling with goat-teeth, holding a staff with scroll, and
accompanied by a goat-- the eighth symbolic animal of the
Twelve Terrestrial Branches, which stands for the retired
life; perhaps an indication of the sweet sentiment of the
carver at his golden years. Based on the integrity of this
amazingly spirited work, Tomomitsu is clearly a note worthy
master carver, and rightfully deserved the comparison often
associated with the work of the famed Tomochika.
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Private
Collection |
Fukurokujo
was introduced to Japan from China in the 15th century. There
is a misconception that he is a representation of Lao-tze
(Roshi). Though undoubtedly his demeanor may look Daoist to
some, the name "Fukurokuju" is actually a combination of three
Chinese characters, "Fu", "Lu", and "Shu" which represent
three Chinese Star Gods of Good Fortune. In addition, the
identity of Fukurokujo is also mixed with that of Jurojin,
who often looks so much like him that they are almost indistinguishable.
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