TOMOMASA: A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF A REPENTANT ONI
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
second half of 19th century
Ɏ TOMOMASA: A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF A REPENTANT ONI By Tomomasa, signed Tomomasa 友正 Japan, Edo/Tokyo, second half of 19th century Intricately carved and stained as an oni holding two small mokugyo and beating them with a mallet.
The demonic figure, now converted to Buddhism, is shown with his mouth opened, chanting a sutra, his fangs showing, the eyes inlaid. Dressed in shabby, ill-fitting garbs falling loosely on his muscular frame, the oni’s long curly hair falling down his shoulders covered partially by a headscarf through which peer two horns, a parasol to his back, and suspending from his belt is a tabako-ire set with a double-gourd netsuke and a kiseruzutsu.
The ‘natural’ himotoshi through the gap between the arm and mokugyo tassel. Signed to the underside of the robe TOMOMASA.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Material (listing wording)
- IVORY
- Dimensions or weight (listing wording)
- 6.1 cm
Identification
- Source note
- Auction-house description published on Invaluable. Attribution and measurements are the auction house’s statements about the photographed example; independent type authentication remains research required.
- Listing object ID
- 187924466
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Independent confirmation of type attribution and auction-house statements remains research required.