125 - ISSAN: A RARE AND CHARMING KUROGAKI (BLACK PERSIMMON) WOOD NETSUKE OF TWO NAMAZU

ISSAN: A RARE AND CHARMING KUROGAKI (BLACK PERSIMMON) WOOD NETSUKE OF TWO NAMAZU By Ryusansai Issan, signed Issan 一山 Japan, Iwashiro Province, early 19 th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Finely carved from kurogaki (black persimmon) wood as two namazu (catfish) arranged in a compact overlapping composition. The larger fish forms the base, its long body gently curved and terminating in a powerful sweeping tail, while the smaller namazu rests across its back, its body closely following the contours of its companion. Both are naturalistically rendered with broad heads, fleshy lips, long curling barbels, and finely incised fins, their eyes inlaid in amber. Asymmetrical himotoshi underneath, the larger generously excavated to accommodate the cord knot. Signed ISSAN within an inlaid reserve. LENGTH 6.7 cm Provenance: Ex-collection Jackie Grün. Varenne Enchères, La Varenne Saint-Hilaire, 24 March 2013, lot 42 (sold for EUR 3,300). French private collection, acquired from the above. Condition: Very good condition with minor wear. The depiction of two namazu (catfish) is highly unusual in netsuke art. The namazu is more commonly represented alone or in scenes derived from the legend of Kadori Myojin, in which the great earthquake fish is subdued with a gourd; humorous variations feature monkeys, blind men, or kappa attempting the same task. The present work is particularly rare in depicting two catfish alone, one resting playfully across the back of the other.