A LARGE AND SUPERB WOOD MASK NETSUKE OF A GROTESQUELY GRIMACING MAN, ATTRIBUTED TO KOKEISAI SANSHOAttributed to Kokeisai Sansho (1871-1936), unsignedJapan, Osaka, early 20th centuryVery similar to no. 245, however significantly larger. Well carved as a grimacing man, his right eye large and round and his left almost shut, centered by a prominent bump to the forehead and the broad nose with asymmetrical nostrils, above the open mouth with missing teeth and outstretched tongue, his brows and wrinkles neatly incised, the head wrapped in a cloth. Unsigned, however confidently attributed to the celebrated Osaka master Kokeisai Sansho (1871-1936).HEIGHT 6.2 cmCondition: The himotoshi bar in the back has been lost and with associated restoration to the back. Otherwise fine condition.The present netsuke shows strong affinities with the work of Kokeisai Sansho (1871-1936), who lived in Osaka and whose life and work are discussed by Boris Filatov in Kokeisai Sansho: Mystery of the Genius (Spring 2012) International Netsuke Society Journal, vol. 32, no. 1, p. 12-25.Literature comparison: Compare a closely related wood mask netsuke described as a Kuron mask, attributed to Kokeisai Sansho, 5.4 cm high, illustrated in Boris Filatov (Spring 2012) Kokeisai Sansho: Mystery of the Genius International Netsuke Society Journal, vol. 32, no. 1, p. 25, no. 17.