19th century finely hand-carved Japanese boxwood netsuke of a muscular blind masseur or Totsuka Beggar crouching and trying to lift his hugely distended scrotum. He is wearing only a fundoshi. Excellent detail and patination; he grimaces as he attempts to lift the large stone. His left eye and teeth are inlaid with light and dark horn. Very nice uneven himotoshi. Signed Hakudosai on a rectangular reserve on the bottom of the netsuke...

This is a finely carved boxwood netsuke depicting the Skeleton of the Buddhist Priest Danka beating oa a Mokugyo, or Buddhist Temple Drum. Very nice detail and wonderful symmetry all throughout, rich patina. Signed Tomoyuki, a disciple of Tomochika, in an irregular oval reserve, on the bottom of the netsuke. Netsuke measures 0.92 inches (2.3cm) wide, 1.40 inches (3.5cm) long, and 1.27 inches (3.2cm) tall...

19th Century, excellently hand-carved in rare Persimmon Wood Netsuke depicting a realistic version of a Cicada that is laying upon a half Walnut shell. This netsuke is carved in intricate detail; faithful in form and image to the subject in nature that it represents. It is attributed to the Iwami School, because it presents all the characteristics of netsuke made by carvers of the region in Japan (See partial illustration - photo #10 - of the book 'Iwami Netsuke from the R. S...

Height: 2 cm (0.8 in)
Width: 3.8 cm (1.6 in)
Depth: 3.2 cm (1.3 in)

Finely carved Japanese wooden netsuke of a snake coiled in an interesting way; good old patina; good condition

Length: 4.8 cm (1.9 in)
Height: 2.5 cm (1 in)
Depth: 3 cm (1.2 in)

Japanese 19th century lacquered wood netsuke of a Sushi; wear to the lacquer; good patina

Height: 3.3 cm (1.4 in)
Width: 3.5 cm (1.5 in)
Depth: 2.9 cm (1.2 in)

Fine Japanese wood netsuke of a seated reader calling; very high quality carving with detailed features picked out; this artist worked in exotic Chinese timbers; rare; early 19th century; signed; good condition

19th century finely hand-carved Japanese boxwood netsuke depicting Three Monkeys that are squatting on top of Daikoku's Hammer. Very fine detail and harmonius form characterizes this superb miniature carving. Signed Koryu on an irregular red tablet inlaid of the barrel-like mallet. It measures 1.15 inches (2.9cm) wide, 1.94 inches (4.9cm) long, and 1.20 inches (3.1cm) tall...

Japanese Meiji period three-case boxwood inro carved on the front with two oni or animal creatures peering out from the trunk of a tree. The back holds a bearded man holding a sword or knife. All three have inlaid eyes. A wood ojime bead and a netsuke in the form of a smiling tiger is attached to the string. A two-character “Nissho” signature within a circular cartouche is embedded on the bottom. 19th century...

Japanese boxwood ojime bead carving of a skull, finely detailed with realistic cranial fissures, missing teeth, pierced eye sockets and nasal cavity, with tiny handmade chisel marks visible under the jaw. The ojime is a cord fastening bead, used to secure an inro container to the wearer's obi or sash.

Edo period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 1 1/2" x 1" x 1"

Height: 3.5 cm (1.3 in)
Width: 3 cm (1.2 in)
Depth: 3.7 cm (1.6 in)

Fine example of the work of Gyokkei; a stone lifter, masseur or a man attempting to lift his distended scrotum?; a tumour is also present on the back of his head; the poor fellow also has a wall-eye; signed on an inlaid tablet; good condition

Height: 2.9 cm (1.2 in)
Width: 2.9 cm (1.2 in)
Depth: 1.8 cm (0.8 in)

Fine Japanese ebony seal netsuke of a Shishi; intricate workmanship throughout; seal characters carved to base; excellent condition

An antique Japanese lacquer Inro with images of persimmons on a gold flecked background. The Inro has five compartments, a boxwood netsuke carved in the shape of a persimmon and a metal ojime incised with floral and geometric designs. The inside compartments are covered with dense nashiji lacquer (fine gold flecks). Exceptional.

Date: early Meiji (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 3.75" X 2.5" wide

Japanese Wood Compass Ojime, 19th C. Meiji period, 3/4" diameter round, 3/8" deep, front part has glass front, needle is moving, holes on both side for cord go through, back is rounded solid wood with double circles. Ojime is the small object with very interesting and humorous design go through the cord between Netsuke and Inro.

Japanese Wood and Staghorn Ojime, 19th C. Meiji period, 3/4" wide in the center widest part, 3/4" high, front and back is Staghorn, center is wood, round bead shape with deep carved lines, 2 holes on both side where cord go through between Netsuke and Inro.

A Boxwood Mask Netsuke. As two masks of Okame and Daruma. Japan 19thC. Height: 3.5 cm. Condition: excellent

This 19th Century, finely hand-carved Iwami Ebony Netsuke that shares similar carving and material characteristics as the Tree Stump attibuted to Jikan Ganbun depicts a Toad that also provides a functionality of an Ashtray. This toad is also remarkably similar to the toad that the Gamma Sennin (item 98 of Bonhams Iwami Catalog* – photo # 6) is sitting on...

Netsuke - chestnut and a plump mushroom. Japan Edo 19th.

A brush, ink stick letter knife and ink stone are set into a compartment inside this flattened bamboo shape carved from Zitan wood with a poem engraved into the lid signed on the back side Hokkyo Sessai and enclosed in a wooden box. Lifting out the lid by means of the strap, one finds the knife tucked into the handle, the brush, stone, and ink laid out and ready to use. It is 34 cm (13-1/2 inches) long...