Ɏ AN IVORY NETSUKE OF ONIWAKAMARU STRUGGLING WITH THE GIANT CARP, ATTRIBUTED TO ANRAKU Attributed to Anraku, unsigned Japan, Osaka, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) A very fine and beautifully stained ivory netsuke depicting Oniwakamaru attempting to climb onto the back of the writhing fish, wearing only a loincloth and a ribbon tied around his neck. The twisting fish with finely incised scales and fins aggressively trying to break free from the boy’s hold, its eyes inlaid in dark horn, and its thick lips gently ajar revealing teeth within. Himotoshi through the underside of the fish. LENGTH 4.2 cm Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and few light age cracks. Provenance: The Gabor Wilhelm Collection, Paris. Oniwakamaru or ‘young devil child’ was the nickname given to the young warrior monk Musashibo Benkei (1155-1189) because of his enormous strength and violent nature. This netsuke shows the young boy attacking and slaying the giant carp that swallowed his mother. Literature comparison: Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of Oniwaka with the giant carp, by Anraku, illustrated in Davey, Neil K. (1982) Netsuke: A comprehensive study based on the M.T. Hindson Collection, p. 31, no. 53. Auction comparison: Compare a related ivory netsuke of Kinko sennin astride a giant carp, by Anraku, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 6 November 2012, London, lot 212 ( sold for GBP 6,250). Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number FR2207515122-K). This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.