MOTOKAZU: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A RAT WITH EDAMAME BEAN POD By Motokazu (Genichi), signed Motokazu 元一 Japan, Gifu, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Finely carved as a rat (nezumi) fondling an edamame bean pod, the fur finely incised and the wood bearing a fine patina. The eyes are inlaid in dark lustrous horn and the two visible incisors underneath are inlaid in horn. The underside is particularly well-carved, showing the curling tail and the crisply carved feet. The signature MOTOKAZU is located on the smoothly polished bean pod. Natural himotoshi. The similarity to the rats by Kano Tomokazu of Gifu is undeniable. LENGTH 4.3 cm Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, tiny minuscule surface nicks, and a fine patina. Provenance: Old French collection Jules Cherki. Literature comparison: This or an almost identical netsuke is illustrated in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part A, p. 75. Auction comparison: Compare to a very similar netsuke by Tomokazu, sold at Quinn's Auction Galleries, The Helen and Jack Mang Collection of Netsuke, 7 December 2012, Falls Church, lot 279 (Hammer price 4,500 USD).