A SUPERB AND LARGE SAISHIKI NETSUKE OF RYUJIN ATTRIBUTED TO YOSHIMURA SHUZAN Attributed to Yoshimura Shuzan, unsigned Japan, Osaka, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Published: OEstasiatiska Museet (1999) Netsuke. Netsukeutstaellning 16 Oktober 1999 - 9 Januari 2000, p. 47. Exhibited: OEstasiatiska Museet, Netsukeutstaellning, Sweden, Stockholm, 16 October 1999 – 9 January 2000. A large and imposing saishiki (painted) hinoki wood netsuke depicting the dragon king of the sea Ryujin, standing and smiling, his long beard forming mighty curls, and holding a pearl in both hands. A long dragon is on his back, its large head placed on top of Ryujin's head. Natural himotoshi beneath the dragon. The polychrome pigments and gesso, as well as the gold accents are well preserved, as it is known that coloring applied by Yoshimura Shuzan, who was a Kano school painter, would not wear off so easily as later copies. Shuzan's netsuke were generally of exceptional size and he also never signed his netsuke. These are all are good indications that this netsuke may very well be by the great master himself. HEIGHT 12.7 cm Condition: Very good condition, relatively minor wear to polychrome pigments and gesso. Provenance: Ex-Collection Mrs. Gunvor Bjorkman. Literature comparison: Compare to a near identical netsuke in the F.M. Jonas collection, pictures both in his book and Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part B, p. 800.