Lot 889 Nα

A red lacquer manju netsuke. 19th century

Of two parts, inlaid in shakudo and partially gilt copper, with Hitomaro and an oni under a pine tree on a hanabashi ground. Carved with a karako to the reverse. To the inside, a stylised bird in light gloss on matte roiro.

According to tradition, the lines of Hitomaro, one of the 36 immortal poets, were of such beauty that even evil - in the form of an oni - could not resist and supported him in his work. He is also often depicted at a table, on a boat or with a scroll, but also with a pheasant which appears in one of his most famous poems. The stylised bird to the inside might be an allusion to this pheasant.
Diameter 4 cm