ISSEN: A RARE EDO SCHOOL WOOD NETSUKE OF SOSHI AND BUTTERFLY By Issen (Kazugawa), signed Issen 一川 saku 作 kore 之 Japan, Edo (Tokyo), late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Soshi (Zhuang Zhou) is depicted here blissfully sleeping, his facial features well-carved. The butterfly which appears in his dream is resting on his shoulder. His robe is decorated with many carved ridges. The underside with asymmetrical himotoshi and signature ISSEN saku kore [Issen made this] within an oblong reserve. A quite rustic, boldly carved netsuke with irresistible character and charm. LENGTH 4.6 cm Condition: Very good condition, minor surface wear. Beautiful, dark patina. Provenance: The Gabor Wilhelm Collection, Paris. Zhuang Zhou, commonly known as Zhuangzi (Japanese: Soshi), was an influential Chinese philosopher who lived around the 4th century BC during the Warring States period. He is credited with writing one of the foundational texts of Daoism, known by his name, the Zhuangzi. The most famous of all Zhuangzi stories - Zhuang Zhou Dreams of Being a Butterfly - appears at the end of the second chapter, On the Equality of Things: “Once, Zhuang Zhou dreamed he was a butterfly, a butterfly flitting and fluttering about, happy with himself and doing as he pleased. He didn't know that he was Zhuang Zhou. Suddenly he woke up and there he was, solid and unmistakable Zhuang Zhou. But he didn't know if he was Zhuang Zhou who had dreamt he was a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming that he was Zhuang Zhou. Between Zhuang Zhou and the butterfly there must be some distinction! This is called the Transformation of Things.” (Zhuangzi, chapter 2 [Watson translation]) This subject is rarely seen in netsuke art, and usually with the butterfly implied.