A netsuke of sleeping Shojo

Description:

Japan, signed Yoshihisa, 19th cent.
H. 3,8 cm
Shojo is very finely carved and has an ideally compact shape. It sits and cradles its face in both hands while eliminating the effects of too much sake. The facial expression is masterfully carved, retaining an air of happiness while at the same time showing his intoxication, the face contracting under the two hands that support the face beneath the robe. The finely cut long hair flows over the beautifully detailed kimono. Himotoshi on the back and on the bottom, below, signed in an oval reserve on the bottom.
From an old private collection in the Rhineland, collected before 1985, coll. no. 82
Yoshihisa is an excellent but little-known carver whose style is reminiscent of the Minko school. See Bushell, Raymond (1961) The Netsuke Handbook by Ueda Reikichi, p. 308, and Davey, Neil K. (1974) Netsuke: A comprehensive study based on the M.T. Hindson Collection, p. 219 - Minimal signs of age, in good condition