GYOKURIN: AN AMUSING WOOD NETSUKE OF RAIJIN WITH RAITARO
By Gyokurin, signed Gyokurin
Japan, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Published: Lazarnick, George, Netsuke and Inro Artists, Honolulu 1982, p. 426.

The thunder god Raijin is depicted as a muscular oni, with long curly hair and wearing a thin loincloth, tightly curled into a ball and holding his knees as if he was rocking back and forth in agony. His expression is amusing, completely worn out and stressed, as his son Raitaro is mischievously grinning and banging on his back, trying to gain his attention. Raijin is often caricaturized in netsuke art, and in the present netsuke he is shown as the worn-out father - the powerful thunder god dejected by something very humanly, one does feel for this poor deity…The carving is sublime, bold and powerful, and the patina is superb, smooth and shimmering and worn in all the right places. Large himotoshi through Raijin's buttocks. Signed underneath the right foot GYOKURIN 玉林.

HEIGHT 4.2 cm, LENGTH 4.4 cm

Condition: Very good condition with excellent patina.
Provenance: The Gabor Wilhelm Collection.