Netsuke
rarely depicts the Shakyamuni due to respect for the great Buddha. However, this
skin and bone figure depicts Prince Siddhartha at a time he was practicing asceticism
in the land of Magadha; after six years, he remained unable to attain his goal.
Then one day, he went bathing in the river and accepted a rice ball from the hand
of Sujata, a maiden who belonged to the untouchable caste, and came to the realization
that severe asceticism can only wear out the body, thus depriving the strength
he needed to attain the path to enlightenment.
The
netsuke of Shakyamuni is finely realized, and possibly inspired from an original
okimono prototype established by the Chinese in the Ming dynasty. The netsuke
is carved from a single piece of quality ivory. It has a cool white patina, and
two typical small hair lines running along the back side. Artist signature is
signed on the base.
Private Collection
