NOBUKAZU: A WOOD SHUNGA NETSUKE OF OKAME WITH TENGU MASKBy Nobukazu, signed Nobukazu 信一 to 刀Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Published: Hurtig, Bernard & Wilhelm Gabor (1983) What’s New at Auctions, International Netsuke Collectors Society Journal (INCSJ), vol. 10, no. 4, p. 10.The Shinto goddess of mirth depicted here with long, finely incised hair, wearing an elaborately decorated kimono, all in the manner of a shojo (drunken sprite), hiding her grin behind her sleeve as she caresses the long nose of a Konoha-tengu mask. The eyes are large and enigmatic inlays of pale, translucent horn with dark pupils. Natural himotoshi and signed underneath NOBUKAZU to [carved by Nobukazu].LENGTH 4.5 cmCondition: Very good condition, minor wear, some light surface scratches to the underside.Provenance: French private collection, purchased at Pechon-Delavenn-Lafarge, Hotel Drouot, 19 November 1982, Paris, lot 32 (sold for 9,478 FRF).