A
well carved figure of a sennin dressed in Chinese robes, slightly
leaning forward and to his right forms an excellently designed
netsuke for its purpose. Although this charming youth is clearly
an immortal, his high forehead indicates that he is Fukurokuju,
one of the seven Lucky Gods in Japanese myth; however, further
research suggests that he may be the dwarf god Fukusuke, the
Lucky Helper, the masculine counter part of Okame.
The
pleasing simplicity of this netsuke owes something to its
material. The ivory appears to have come from the tip of a
quality tusk, it is well preserved, and has beautiful cream
white patina despite its age. Since the netsuke is signed
: Tomotada, which helps to date this netsuke at mid Edo period.
( Please note that Izumiya Tomotada is one of the most important
artist in the history of netsuke. Unfortunately, there is
not a single Tomotada that can be positively identified or
authenticated as from the master's hand. Therefore the case
for genuineness of this netsuke rest solely on connoisseurship
and attribution. )
PRIVATE COLLECTION
