A fine carved boxwood netsuke of an oni

Description:

Japan, Nagoya School, 19th cent.
D. 3,6 cm
The chewing oni pulls a large straw hat over his head to protect himself from the bean shower. The joke is that the powerful oni reacts disproportionately and panics when pelted with small, harmless beans intended to drive him away. Beautiful age patina.
From an old German private collection - Minimal signs of age