† GYOKKEI: A WOOD NETSUKE OF A BLIND MAN LIFTING A CHIKARAISHI By Gyokkei, signed Gyokkei 玉珪 Japan, Edo (Tokyo), second half of 19th century A well-carved netsuke depicting an old masseur crouching to lift a strength stone, his muscular arms wrapped around the heavy rock as his knees attempt to pull the weight. The face contorted into a grimace, showing the strain, his dead bulging eye cleverly inlaid in bone as are his teeth, visible behind his distorted lips. The bald head of the masseur showing a single tankobu (bump) on the side. The emaciated body naturalistically rendered with finely detailed ribs and spine. Clad in a simple loincloth, a stray testicle humorously escaping the incised folds. The underside with good himotoshi, one with a green-stained horn lining. Signed on an inlaid tablet GYOKKEI. HEIGHT 3.6 cm Condition: Very good condition with only minor wear. Provenance: St. James’ Gallery, Zurich. Swiss private collection formed from the 1980s-2000s, acquired from the above. Massage plays an important role in Japanese medicine. Mainly practiced by the blind, who strengthened their muscles in between with the help of chikaraishi or strength stones, chikaraishi have been used since at least the 8th century and even today can be found at some Shinto shrines, where they were used for competitions of strength, or for divination purposes. Today some have been designated as Important Cultural Assets. 13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.