Japanese Smoker Ivory Netsuke A Japanese ivory netsuke, measuring 1 3/4 X 1 3/4 ins., dating to the mid 20th century. The netsuke shows a man seated smoking a pipe. The base has unequal himotoshi. It is signed HIROSHI on the base. The netsuke is in fine and original condition.
 

Japanese Edo Ivory Netsuke/Okimono of Sage A fine Japanese netsuke carved of whale tooth or other marine ivory, measuring 3 X 1 1/2 ins., dating to the Edo Period, or late 18th - early 19th century. The netsuke shows a sage standing with his stick and bag. There are age cracks as seen but they do not harm the structural integrity if the piece. The ivory has taken on beautiful translucency of age in some areas. There are uenegaul himotoshi on the back, showing that this carving was intended both for show and for wear. The base has a 5-character signature that was translated when I purchased this as: RINSHIN. I cannot guarantee this translation. The netsuke is in fine and original condition.
 

Jpn Leather Tobacco Pouch & Pipecase A Japanese Brown Leather Tobacco Pouch & Pipecase with ojime, dating to the early 20th century. The pipecase, or kizeruzitsu, measures 8 1/2 ins. long and the pouch measures 5 x 3 ins. The puch has a metal, probably a sliver alloy, in the shape of Daikoku’s bag. The ojime is a ying-yang, black and white glass bead. The pipecase is lacquered bamboo-design leather. The pouch shows some evidence of wear on the corners and one small rough spot on the reverse top.
 

Man’s Head in Basket Ivory Nut Ojime <p><b>A fine Japanese wood or ivory nut netsuke of a man’s head in a basket, measuring approximately 1 X 1 1/4 ins. , dating to the Meiji Era (1868-1912).</b> The figure may represent the severed head of some unfortunate soul who has experienced the working edge of the executioner’s sword. It is unsigned and in fine and original condition.
 

Japanese Lacquer Ball Ojime A Japanese lacquer ball ojime measuring 5/8 ins. in diameter, dating to the Edo-Meiji periods, or mid-19th century. It has minor chipping around the holes. Otherwise, it is in fine and original condition.
 

Edo-Meiji Manju Netsuke Warrior-Dragon A fine Japanese manju netsuke carved of staghorn, measuring approximately 2 X 1/2 ins., dating to the mid 19th century. The netsuke-shi has carved a long-haired warrior battling a dragon or sea serpent in the waves in relief on the front. The front shows the carver’s signature, NAKASHI, in a cartouche. The back has two inscribed maple leaves. The netsuke is in excellent and original condition with no damage and only minimal wear.
 

Japanese Meiji-Taisho Ivory Horse Netsuke <p><b>A Japanese ivory netsuke of a bending horse, measuring approximately 2 3/4 ins. in height, dating to the first half of the 20th century.</b> The himotoshi are positioned on the horse’s flank so that the netsuke will hang appropriately. This is a good indication that the netsuke was made to be worn and was not just for the souvenir trade. The netsuke-shi has signed the piece on the reverse below the himotoshi. This netsuke is in fine and original condition and shows the hand of an experienced carver.
 

Antique Ivory Man with Big Bag Netsuke <p><b>A superb netsuke or okimono of antique marine ivory, measuring approximately 3 x 2 x 1 1/2 ins., dating to the Meiji Era (1868-1912).</b> The subject is most likely a sleeping Chinese sage or it might be Daikoku. The piece has the wonderful patina achieved only by human handling and age. The unequal himotoshi on the base are characteristic of the period. It is in fine and original condition.
 

Meiji Era Ivory Seated Sennin Netsuke <p><b>A superb netsuke of antique marine ivory, measuring approximately 2 x 1 1/2 ins., dating to the Meiji Era (1868-1912).</b> The subject is a seated sennin or sage who is holding a fan. The top of the head was carved as a separate piece that was glued on by the carver. The material looks like a fossil or antique tooth. Himotoshi are on the back. The netsuke has the wonderful patina achieved only by human handling and age. There is a reddish stain on the top of the head, possibly from ink.
 

Meiji Wood Netsuke of Samurai on Tiger <p><b>A fine Japanese rosewood netsuke of a man wrestling a tiger measuring approximately 2 X 1 1/2 ins. , dating to the Meiji Era (1868-1912).</b> Although I have listed this as an okimono because of its stand alone design, the carver has placed the himotoshi to allow the front of the netsuke to show when it is worn. It is signed but I cannot make out the signature. This netsuke is in fine and original condition and shows the hand of an experienced carver.
 

Meiji Boy with Peach Ivory Netsuke <p><b>A Japanese netsuke carved from ivory of a boy holding a peach, measuring approximately 3 1/2 ins. in length, unsigned, dating to the Meiji Period. </b> It is carved from end-tusk marine ivory which has been plugged on the base. There is one age crack in the boy’s head that does not go through the ivory. There are many wonderful stories in Japan about the peach, which is revered by the people and is thought to have mysterious powers, usually to bring happiness. In one legend, the peach tree, or <i>momo</i>, was given the name <i>Okantsumi-no-mikoto</i>, or Great Sacred Fruit Deity, by Izanagi-no-mikoto, who threw peaches at the demons pursuing him. This netsuke most likely represents the children’s story of Momotaro, a boy who was born from a peach found in a stream by an old woman. A charming piece for your collection.
 

Japanese Ivory Netsuke/Okimono of Jurojin <p><b>A Japanese netsuke/okimono masterfully carved of elephant ivory in what I believe to be the figure of Jurojin, dating to the mid to early 20th c. </b> The piece measures 3 X 1 1/2 ins. and is a solid piece of high-grade ivory. It is signed on the base but I can’t make out the signature. <p>Jurojin is one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune in Japan. More specifically, he represents longevity. He is typically shown carrying a long staff with a book that supposedly carries the life-limit of everyone in the world. He is often accompanied by a 2000 year old black deer. This fellow carries the staff with a gourd and may just be a sage. He was part of a set of ivory netsuke of the seven gods that makes me believe he is Jurojin. <p>The netsuke is in fine and original condition. Note the quality of carving in the face and beard as well as the engraving work on the robe and the inro.
 

Meiji Bone Ojime - Man’s Face A Japanese ojime, of bone, of cylindrical shape, with relief carving of a man’s face, measuring 1 5/8 ins., dating to the mid 19th century.
 

Ivory Netsuke/Tea Drinker Stretching Arms <p><b>A finely-carved Japanese netsuke of elephant ivory in the shape of a man seated in front of a tea kettle and hibachi, stretching his arms over his head, measuring approximately 2 1/2 ins., dating to the early 20th century. </b> This may represent Daruma as he is awakening from his nine-year meditation. The netsuke is signed: MIESAN. This netsuke-shi is listed in the book on Netsuke Master Carvers as a pupil of the great, modern carver Meigyokusai. It looks as though the handle of the teapot was broken and re-glued in the past.
 

Dragon & Turtles Okimono A fine Japanese okimono of a dragon and turtles, measuring 2 1/2 X 2 1/2 ins, dating ot the latter half of the 20th century. The okimono appears to be made of wood or compressed wood fibers. It looks like it was originally intended to be a seal. It is in fine and original condition.