241 - SADAYUKI: AN ANTLER NETSUKE OF RAIJIN TAKING A SMOKING BREAK

SADAYUKI: AN ANTLER NETSUKE OF RAIJIN TAKING A SMOKING BREAK By Sadayuki, signed Sadayuki 貞行 Japan, 18 th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Humorously carved from a naturally forked section of antler as Raijin seated at ease with one knee raised, taking a momentary respite from his celestial duties while drawing on a long kiseru pipe. The thunder god’s gruff face is animated by bulging eyes beneath deeply furrowed brows, with two short horns emerging from his tousled hair. One clawed hand holds the pipe to his mouth, while the other grasps his tobacco pouch, typically inscribed hi yoshin (‘beware of fire’). His great thunder drum is strapped to his back with a thick rope and boldly carved with a large tomoe emblem. Himotoshi to the back and signed SADAYUKI within a rectangular reserve. HEIGHT 4.4 cm Provenance: From an old East German private collection, assembled between 1960 and 1990. Condition: Very good condition minor wear, natural imperfections and tiny nicks here and there.