Wood netsuke of an oni and tennin
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
early to mid-19th century
Finely carved in openwork as a humorous celestial encounter, with a graceful tennin calmly playing the sho as she stands upon a billowing bank of clouds, her serene face framed by an elaborate coiffure and her long celestial scarf (tenne) sweeping around her body in broad, looping folds. Advancing from behind along the same cloud bank is a muscular oni, with wild flame-like hair, a single horn, and a broad fanged grin, poised to seize the celestial maiden from behind. Natural himotoshi.
The mischievous oni is clearly up to no good, furtively approaching the celestial musician from behind as she remains absorbed in playing her sho. Such comic misbehavior is entirely in keeping with the character of oni in Japanese art, recalling the popular subject of an oni making off with Bishamonten's treasure pagoda (hoto), often shown fleeing with his prize upon a cloud.
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)
- wood
- Dimensions or weight (listing wording)
- 3.9 cm
Identification
- Source note
- Auction-house description published on Invaluable. Attribution and measurements describe the photographed example; independent type authentication remains research required.
- Listing object ID
- 206787921
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.