A LARGE PAINTED LIGHT WOOD NETSUKE OF OTAFUKU YAWNING Unsigned Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Published: Joly, Henri L. (1912) The W. L. Behrens Collection, Part 1, Netsuke, no. 3860 (illustrated on plate LI) The goddess of mirth seated half-kneeling and stretching both hands above her head, yawning, her tongue visible and colored in red. She has typically large and full cheeks, as well as large breasts and a protruding belly. When stretching in this manner she is sometimes referred to as Onna-Daruma (female Daruma). This impressive netsuke is carved from a very light wood, possibly kiri (paulownia), some of the details are colored in red or black. The underside shows her skirt slipping, revealing her genitalia on the underside. Large, functional himotoshi through the back. HEIGHT 7.2 cm Condition: Very good condition with associated surface wear and some tiny nicks. Some wear to painted details. Provenance: Ex-collection Walter Lionel Behrens (1861-1913), collection no. 3860. Then collection Gabor Wilhelm.