A Wood Netsuke
Signed on an ivory tablet Masakazu, Edo Period (19th century)
Of a fox priest, ivory details
3.8cm. high
A Wood Netsuke
Signed on an ivory tablet Masakazu, Edo Period (19th century)
Of a fox priest, ivory details
3.8cm. high
This netsuke depicts Hakuzosu, an Eitoku-period (1381-4) priest. He worshipped the rice-deity Inaba and kept three foxes whose spirits warded off robbers and foretold good and bad fortune. The story was made into a kyogen [a comic interlude between No performances] called Tsurigitsune [The Fishing Fox] where an old fox transforms himself into the priest and persuades him to stop trying to catch foxes. On its return home, however, the old fox is trapped by some bait in the usual way.
Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.
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