Netsuke okimono, ivory. Japan, late 19th cent.
Fine and very skillfully crafted, small, richly figurative netsuke okimono. The professional exorcist, Toshiotoko, straddles in front of a screen holding a container of roasted beans, which he throws against the evil spirits. These are called oni – three of them here are crawling around the screen, although they are hit by the beans. Very animated depiction of movement and faces, despite the small proportion! Toshiotoko doubts the effectiveness of his beans; his wakizashi sword lies on the screen`s foot.
HEIGHT 4,8 CM, WIDTH 5,45 CM
From a German collection