191 - MASAKAZU: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A MONKEY PICKING FLEAS

MASAKAZU: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A MONKEY PICKING FLEAS By Masakazu, signed Masakazu 正一 Japan, 19 th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Finely carved and beautifully stained as a seated monkey picking fleas, its arms and legs drawn closely around the body in a compact composition. One hand is raised to the mouth, the monkey’s intensely serious expression superbly rendered with double-inlaid eyes and furrowed brows, giving the small figure a wonderfully earnest character. The fur is meticulously incised throughout with dense hairwork, contrasting with the smoothly polished face, hands, and feet. Himotoshi through the limbs and signed MASAKAZU within a polished rectangular reserve. The artist is associated with the Osaka school tradition, with close affinities to the work of Kaigyokusai Masatsugu and his followers, particularly Masachika and Kaigyokudo Masateru. HEIGHT 3.9 cm Condition: Restoration to the tip of the right ear, one large age crack with a partial fill, and one eye inlay replaced. Otherwise excellent condition with minor typical wear. Literature comparison: Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a seated monkey by the same artist, signed Masakazu, illustrated in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part A, p. 426.