AKIHIDE: A TALL WOOD NETSUKE OF BENKEI, KANJINCHO
By Akihide, signed Akihide
Japan, 20th century

Carved from pale wood and depicting Benkei, wearing a tokin cap inlaid in ebony wood. He is holding the Buddhist subscription list in front of him, pretending to read it, as he is looking to the left with an amusingly astonished expression. This scene is known as kanjincho. His robe is ornately crafted, adorned with further ebony buttons, with many accentuated folds, and incised with floral and cloud patterns. Himotoshi through the back above the signature AKIHIDE 明秀.

HEIGHT 10.6 cm

Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance: European collection.

Benkei is one of the great heroes of the 12th century and became famous for his adventures wrapped in legend. He became friends with another famous hero, Minamoto no Yoshitsune, and when the latter was pursued by his brother Yoritomo, Benkei saved him with a genius bluff. They were stopped at a bridge by Yoritomo's men and Benkei pretended to read from a Buddhist subscription list, identifying themselves as money collectors for the temple of Nara, effectively fooling the guards. This scene is depicted in this netsuke.