NOBUKAZU: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF THE JUNISHI By Nobukazu, signed Nobukazu to Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) An animated study of the twelve zodiac animals (junishi). The animals are arranged in a circle, climbing on top each other. Two monkeys (saru) are climbing up on the dragon (tatsu), one of them pulling on his whiskers and the other grabbing the snake (hebi). The other animals – horse (uma), tiger (tora), goat (hitsuji), boar (inoshishi), rooster (tori), dog (inu), rabbit (usagi) and ox (ushi) – are all arranged in a circle underneath the imposing dragon. Two rats (nezumi) are well hidden, one on the underside and one on the horse’s tail. The underside shows the finely carved dense congregation of various legs and hooves and the signature inside an oval reserve NOBUKAZU 信一 to (made by). HEIGHT 3.7 cm Condition: Good condition with minor wear and a well-done restoration to the horse’s right leg. Provenance: European collection.