BEAUTIFUL OX BONE NETSUKE TETSUJIN WITH KISERU – JAPAN

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BEAUTIFULOX BONE NETSUKE TETSUJIN WITH KISERU – JAPAN From my private collection This is an ox bone netsuke depicting a Tetsujin or wise man. He carries his Kiseru (bamboo pipe) and tabakoire (tobacco pouch) in his right hand and his drinking gourd in his left. On his back is his palm leaf to keep him cool. Lovely skrimshaw work and delicate polychrome decoration throughout. Netsuke measures 2” x 1.25” x 1.25” with himotoshi on back and signed by the netsukeshi on the base. This netsuke is in perfect condition. There is some staining to this netsuke commensurate with age. Tetsujin or wise men were very prominent in old Japanese culture and travelled around the country. The literal meaning of Tetsujin is iron man. They were teachers, philosophers and sages. In this netsuke the netsukeshi has paid particular attention to the wonderful expression on the wise man's face - he is extremely happy and no doubt looking forward to a rest from his teaching in order to enjoy a pipe of his favourite tobacco. He has his drinking gourd with which to quench his thirst and his musa basjoo palm frond to keep him cool. In 1956 a comic book about Tetsujin was written and illustrated by Mitsuteru Yokoyama. This netsuke is part of my private collection which belonged to my late Mother and Father. Although they collected valuable and rare netsuke read more

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