A quite peculiar netsuke depicting a tanuki transformed into a priest. This netsuke shows the duality of the mythical badger’s existence as a priest, since one side shows the human form, the visible eye closed, with priestly robes, leaning on a stick and wearing a waraji which is shown on the underside. The only hint on this side is the large incisor visible in the mouth. The other side, very amusingly, shows the tanuki in all its splendor – wide open eye, as if its true form has awakened, dense fur, the ear visible in the priest’s cap, and the clothes of the priest have changed into three large and veiny lotus leaves. One paw is visible on the side and the underside with the bushy tail and another paw. Good himotoshi through the back.

Category:

Netsuke

Subcategory:

-

Subject:

Animal Mythological

Material:

Ivory

Age/Country:

19th Century

Artist:

-

Provenance/Owner:

Galerie Zacke

Signed:

unsigned

Type:

Katabori

Height:

55mm mm

Width:

mm

Depth:

mm

ID number: