ITTAN: A WOOD NETSUKE DEPICTING TANUKI NO HARA TSUZUMIBy Ittan, signed Ittan 一旦 with kakihanJapan, Nagoya, first half of 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Well carved to depict the tanuki drumming on its huge belly, the mythical animal well detailed with neatly incised fur heightened by the skillful staining, further with a bushy tail, subtly carved spine, and large paws, the face with intelligent eyes and jovial expression. The lower back and underside with himotoshi, the flat base of the tanuki’s belly signed ITTAN with a kakihan. HEIGHT 3.2 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor wear, few tiny nicks, few light scratches. Provenance: German private collection. The tanuki possesses magical powers and can change forms, sometimes into Buddhist monks; they are jovial, but also dangerous, as they have been known to suffocate hunters with their enormous scrotums. The act of drumming on the belly, according to legend, was used by tanuki to beguile travelers and hunters to lead them astray. However, it has also been said that tanuki would get together just for fun, drumming on their bellies under the moonlight, perhaps even with some sake involved.Museum comparison: Compare a related wood netsuke of a belly-drumming tanuki, 3.5 cm high, dated 19th century, in the Seattle Art Museum, accession number 33.414.