KAZUNORI: A LARGE WOOD NETSUKE OF DAIKOKU AND EBISU AT SETSUBUN

KAZUNORI: A LARGE WOOD NETSUKE OF DAIKOKU AND EBISU AT SETSUBUN By Kazunori, signed Kazunori 一則 Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Published: Joly, Henri L. (1966) The W. L. Behrens Collection, Part 1, Netsuke, no. 3108, illustrated on pl. XXXVI. Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part A, p. 316. Boldly carved as the lucky gods Daikoku and Ebisu standing atop two large rice bales, Daikoku with one hand raised as he is about to fling a handful of soyabeans at the cowering oni taking cover under the rice bales, his trusty mallet tucked into his obi in the back. Ebisu similarly portrayed, smiling next to his companion, as he balances the masu box stand with the roasted beans, a seabream (tai) carved behind him. Himotoshi through the bag which supports the heavy rice bales and signed KAZUNORI. The well-toned wood attractively worn. HEIGHT 5.8 cm, LENGTH 5.3 cm Condition: Very good condition with minor old wear. Provenance: Ex-collection W. L. Behrens (1861-1913). The Setsubun festival is celebrated during the first day of spring and includes the rite of oni-yarai or mame-maki, where roasted beans are thrown at oni to rid the coming year of any demons and disease-bringing spirits.