KOMIN: A FINE INLAID WOOD NETSUKE OF A KAPPA WITH HAMAGURI CLAM By Komin, signed Komin 光珉 Japan, Edo (Tokyo), mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Depicting a kappa (water goblin) climbing over a hamaguri clam, one foot stuck inside, alluding to the kappa's female troubles. Its expression is grotesquely amusing, the eyes double-inlaid, the corner of its mouth with minutely inlaid fangs. The edge of the naturalistically modeled clam is inlaid as well. The carapace of the kappa is worked in meticulous detail, and the bare body parts are worked in precisely spaced ukibori pimples. The hollow section on the kappa's head, which according to legend hold its vital fluids, is filled with pewter. The himotoshi underneath are lined in silver and the signature KOMIN is found on a gilt cartouche next to a pale horn incrustation. HEIGHT 3.3 cm Condition: Excellent condition. Provenance: European collection. Auction comparison: An almost identical netsuke by Komin, with different inlay to the shell, was sold at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 21 April 2021, Vienna, lot 213 (sold for 2,149 EUR). Another similar netsuke by Komin was sold at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 16 May 2013, London, lot 38 (sold for 4,375 GBP).