SANKOSAI: A FINE SO SCHOOL WOOD NETSUKE OF A CARVER INSIDE A BAMBOO NODE By Sankosai, signed Sankosai 山光齋 Japan, Tokyo, early 20th century A Lilliputian netsuke parody of the famous Hokusai woodblock print of the barrel maker, however, this minutely carved cooper is at work hollowing the interior of a section of timber bamboo. The natural himotoshi passes through a leafy sprig that sprouts from the middle cross-section of the bamboo. Signed SANKOSAI. This artist name appears to be unrecorded, so it is likely it is a pseudonym of a member of the So school, as they frequently carved this motif and the stain, polish, and finish strengthen this theory. HEIGHT 3.4 cm Condition: Excellent condition. Provenance: US private collection, purchased at Christie's, London, 3 June 1979, lot 59. Literature comparison: Compare to a similar wood netsuke of Moso inside a bamboo node by Yukosai, apparently a pseudonym of Yoshihide and certainly related to our carver Sankosai, in Sydney Moss Ltd (2004) Outside the Box, pp. 110-111, no. 53. Auction comparison: A similar netsuke by Morita Soko was sold at Bonhams, The Bluette H. Kirchhoff Collection of Netsuke and Sagemono, 16 September 2009, New York, lot 2068 (sold for 6,100 USD).