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A WOOD NETSUKE by SHUGETSU
Signed Shugetsu (Osaka/Edo), Edo Period (late 18th century)
A wood netsuke of a standing figure with long curly hair and the upper-body bare, holding in front of his left eye an ivory egg with his hand. The himotoshi is formed by a large hole and smaller one on the back, as typically found in early netsuke. A two-character signature 'Shugetsu' is finely incised near the himotoshi.
For about a century, this well-known subject has been described within the non-Japanese collecting tradition as an 'egg-tester' or even a 'professional egg-tester', but no evidence ever produced for the existence of such an occupation in Japan during the Edo period. It may be that a documentary explanation will come to light one day, but for the time being, the large number of extant examples probably are better interpreted as evidence that this is a case of a successful single image being copied repeatedly for a printed model or from a netsuke original. Contrary to widespread, traditional Western belief, the majority of netsuke, including early netsuke, are copies of other netsuke rather than scene observed directly from everyday life. (quoted from the catalog description listed below)
Shugetsu 1st is an important netsuke carver mentioned in the Soken Kisho. He was also a famous painter of the Kano School and received the highest honor title 'Hogen' (Master). He is also known as Hogen Higuchi.
2 7/8 in. (7.5cm.) high
Exhibited:
Netsuke: Fantasy and Reality in Japanese Miniature Sculpture
MFA - Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
September 8th, 2001 - November 17th, 2002
Published:
Joe Earle, 'Netsuke: Myth and Reality in Japanese Miniature Sculpture' (MFA, 2001), cat. no. 158
Condition: excellent
Price on Request - ref. 683664
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