TAKUSAI: A SUPERB EBONY NETSUKE OF A GOAT

TAKUSAI: A SUPERB EBONY NETSUKE OF A GOAT
By Tatekawa Takusai (1817-1887), signed Takusai 啄齋
Japan, Suwa, Shinano Province, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Recumbent with its head lowered, the body skillfully carved and textured throughout to denote the variance in the overcoat and undercoat, the tuft of beard similarly long and curling, the differing tones of the ebony wood masterfully utilized to simulate the heterogenous surface of the goat's shaggy fur, while the 'purest' sections of the wood are used for the eyes, which appear as inlaid, and for the horns. The face modeled naturalistically with wideset eyes and a gently tipped snout, all below curved horns flanked by funnel shaped ears. The base carved with cloven hooves and generously excavated asymmetrical himotoshi, signed TAKUSAI.
LENGTH 4.7 cm
Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear.
Tatekawa Takusai (1817-1887)
was a taented carver who excelled in using the structure of different woods. Takusai's daughter, Matsuyo, whose art name is Shoran, compared his sculptures to Hokusai drawings and deemed him as the Hokusai of sculpture. For an interesting discussion of the artist and the Tatekawa family see Ducros, Alain (2000), Tatekawa Family of Wood Carvers, International Netsuke Society Journa vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 23-31.
Museum comparison:
Compare a related wood netsuke of a tigress with cub, formerly in the Trumpf collection and now in the Linden Museum Stuttgart, inventory number OA 19060.