MASANAO: A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF AN ONI TRAPPING SHOKIBy a member of the Masanao family, signed Masanao 正直Japan, Yamada, Ise Province, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved, the oni spread out over a neatly detailed straw basket, peering backwards, the pupils minutely inlaid in dark horn at the corners of the eyes, the mischievous devil pressing his weight down in an effort to contain the demon queller Shoki who is trapped underneath. Shoki in return tries to push himself off the ground, sword drawn, his scabbard piercing through to the other side. The himotoshi are cleverly integrated into the design, underneath Shoki’s feet, and the signature is located within a fold of the robe – MASANAO.LENGTH 3.9 cmCondition: Very good condition, minor wear. Fine, dark patina.Provenance: Collection Prof. Dr. Henk C. Hoogsteden, Rotterdam, purchased from Paul Rutten Asiatic & Tribal Art, Amsterdam, in 2010.The subject appears to be unrecorded for the Masanao family and is usually associated with Kano Tomokazu of Gifu.Auction comparison:A related wood netsuke by Tomokazu was sold at Zacke, Fine Netsuke, Sagemono & Okimono, 27 April 2019, Vienna, lot 266 (sold for 12,640 EUR). Another related wood netsuke by Masakazu was sold at Zacke, Fine Japanese Art, 27 May 2022, Vienna, lot 237 (sold for 6,952 EUR).