GYOKUSAI: A FINE INLAID WOOD NETSUKE OF A KAPPA WITH CUCUMBER By Gyokusai, signed Gyokusai 玉齋
Japan, Tokyo, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)

Published: Euronetsuke, vol. 23, Winter 2003, p. 18, no. 21.

Well carved seated with the knees bent, holding a large cucumber of green-stained stag antler in its lap, the emaciated rib cage and turtle-like carapace neatly detailed, the grimacing face expressing the yokai’s ravenous hunger, the eyes double-inlaid with pale and dark horn and the fangs inlaid with bone. Signed to one leg on the underside GYOKUSAI. Himotoshi through the back.

HEIGHT 4.1 cm

Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear.
Provenance: Estate of Günther Kauth (1946-2016), Frankfurt am Main. Acquired at Klefisch, Cologne, 30 November 2002, lot 668, and thence by descent.

According to folklore there are two ways to escape a kappa-encounter unharmed. One is to feed it with a cucumber, which is the kappa’s favorite food and the other is to bow, as kappa are exceedingly polite creatures and find it difficult to resist returning a bow. This is a problem for the kappa as the cavity on top of their head retains water, and if this is damaged or its liquid is lost (either through spilling or drying up), the kappa is severely weakened.

Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related wood netsuke by Jugyoku, dated mid-19th century, at Lempertz, Japanese Art, 5 December
2015, Cologne, lot 746 (sold for 3,968 EUR).