An
outstanding contemporary netsukeshi, Tetsusen is a prolific carver of traditional
subjects. This netsuke is carved from the tip of the tusk, well marked with striations,
the work carved and finished with liveliness, detail and humor. The artistry is
impressive, the finishing meticulous, with engraving and sumi, and a rich layer
of lacquer overall, depicting two foolish frogs annoying a Namazu, or earthquake
fish, a giant catfish that lives beneath the islands of Japan. When the fish flicks
its tail, the land trembles. Here the frogs, whose eyes are of double-inlaid ambers
and corals, are heedlessly pulling on the fish’s whiskers, causing no doubt some
terrible temblors on land.
