MASATOSHI: A SUPERB AND LARGE EBONY WOOD NETSUKE OF A RAKAN WITH SHISHI By Nakamura Tokisada (Masatoshi) (1915-2001), signed Masatoshi 雅俊 Japan, Tokyo, second half of 20th century Superbly carved as a standing rakan (arhat) dressed in a voluminous half-shouldered kesa robe and holding a large plump Buddhist lion cub by two of its paws. The shishi's expression is somewhat impish as the rakan looks downwards with furrowed eyebrows and a scolding expression, apparently having caught his pet during some mischief. The carving of profound sculptural quality, overall superbly detailed. The deep black ebony is smoothly polished throughout, showing an attractive needle-like grain throughout. Large, generously excavated himotoshi through the back and neatly incised signature MASATOSHI. HEIGHT 10.2 cm Condition: Very good condition, one foot with tiny glued breaks to the edge of the toes. Provenance: French private collection. Literature comparison: A smaller version of this model by Masatoshi is illustrated in Bushell, Raymond (1992) The Art of Netsuke Carving by Masatoshi as told to Raymond Bushell, no. 116. This carving is probably inspired by a similar netsuke formerly in the collections of V. F. Weber, Seymour Trower, W. W. Winkworth, Dorothy Bess, Charles A. Greenfield and Joseph and Edie Kurstin. This piece is illustrated in Okada, Neill (1980) Real and Imaginary Beings, no. 25.