MASAKAZU: A WOOD NETSUKE OF A COWERING ONI DURING SETSUBUNBy Masakazu, signed Masakazu 正一Japan, Nagoya, first half of 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The oni cowering underneath a kasa (straw hat) trying to shield himself from a barrage of roasted beans being thrown at him during the oni-yarai ceremony on Setsubun day. His attempt is somewhat futile as one of the beans has hit his head, two further ones being carved on top of the hat. The worn kasa is executed with intricate detail and the body of the oni underneath shows extremely fine carving with powerfully accentuated muscles and a neatly incised tiger skin loincloth. The visible eye is inlaid in bone. ‘Natural’ himotoshi through the limbs and signed MASAKAZU within a polished reserve.LENGTH 3.4 cmCondition: Excellent condition, minor wear. Fine patina.Provenance: From the collection of the German conductor Ferdinand Leitner (1912–1996), purchased from Kunsthandel Klefisch, Cologne, in 1978. Leitner studied under Franz Schreker, Julius Prüwer, Artur Schnabel and Karl Muck. Among his more than 300 recordings is a celebrated recording of Ferruccio Busoni's Doktor Faust. He also conducted the Berlin Philharmonic for Wilhelm Kempff's 1961 cycle of Beethoven's piano concertos.Auction comparison:Compare to a near-identical wood netsuke by Masakazu sold at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 16 April 2021, Vienna, lot 139 (sold for 3,172 EUR).