A boxwood Manju netsuke

Signed Hojitsu, 19th century

1 5/8in (4.2cm) diameter

Of the usual form comprising of two fitted bowls, the exterior decorated with a portrait of an old man wearing a garment embroidered with a phoenix. Several Sennin can be associated with magical birds, and among one of them is the Sennin Shoki (not to be confused with the Demon Dweller), who lived on Mount Tempei during the Chinese Han dynasty. The legend says that he was a wonderful flutist, and whenever he played, the Phoenix would come down from the sky to listen to him.

Ref. 955427

US$1,500