This
beautifully executed netsuke depicts a samurai riding backwards
on a raging boar, holding what appeares to be a snake, which
is tightly wrapped around the boar's hind leg. The subject
of this netsuke actually depicts the legend of Todatsune (Nitta
no Shiro), who was a retainer of the first shogun Minamoto
no Yoritomo during the 12th century. Unfortunately, the boar
killed was actually a Shinto Deity, thus Tadatsune fell under
a curse, and was eventually banished by the shogun only a
few years later.
The
figures of this netsuke are carved fully in depth, executed
with motion and force. The netsuke is unsigned. On the basis
of a virtually identical piece recorded by Neil K Davey in
Behrens Collection #3593, it can be tentatively attributed
to the hand of Yamaguchi Okatomo, or one of his Kyoto school
pupils during the late 18th to early 19th century period.
The netsuke is slightly worn and has a rich honey patina with
an even shine. There are no crack lines and the netsuke is
in mint condition.
