A fine wood yatate/obi-hasami netsuke. Carved in the form of a dragon with a curled tail which produces a natural aperture for attaching the cord. The elongated body, accentuated with fine scales is excavated to house a concealed brush in a secret chamber. The slim length of the body (3.5 to 4 inches long) is perfectly formed to sit behind the obi (sash) whilst the tail and head are formed to 'clip' to the top and bottom of the obi.
The disproportionally large head houses a concealed inkwell which is accessed by withdrawing a signature panel (doubling as a locking bolt) from under the dragon's chin, allowing the well to then be pivoted 90 degrees about an axis that is in line with the frontmost transverse round 'eye' aperture.
It is in this pivoted position of the inkwell where the previously transverse aperture now runs longitudinally and aligns with the round 'nostril' hole at the front of the dragon, cleverly allowing the concealed brush to exit the internal chamber via the aforementioned openings.
Signed: Kinsho Saku (on the bolt/panel)
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Video link Dragon attributed to Yasutada.
Compare to the Dragon attributed to Yasutada in our video Library. Yasutada was likely a follower of Tametaka (Nagoya connected) in the Soken Kisho, 1781. Numerous bokuto (faux swords) are carved in a similar manner/design to this Yatate-Obihasami by Kinsho.
18.8cm Long.
