A balancing wood figure of a male & karako. The former wearing a robe draped over his arms exposing his torso. The robe descends to the knees at the front, a little lower at the reverse. The distended stomach is partially covered in a layered piece of garment with a demonic-face. The ribcage is exposed. The male holds a drumstick in one hand, the other hand steadies the child on his back. His armourment is a sword, the scabbard in the form of a leaping fish. The child is a well dressed little boy, completely content with his travel companion – like he's enjoying a day with grandpa.
This anonymous hand, nicknamed the Figure of 8 carver is among the apex tall figure specialists of his day. Likely active in Osaka, he was certainly in the mix with netsuke-shi such as Shuzan Yoshimura (Shimanouchi area), who he borrowed designs from, thereafter he has similarities in style to Shugetsu (also from Shimanouchi Osaka and migrating to Edo) though his mannerisms are more flamboyant and in this respect he is nearer in style to Sanko. In my opinion the latter master's work and the Figure of 8 carver's work have been confused with each other.
The Figure of 8 carver was the late Dr Joe Kurstin's favourite anonymous wood carver and he collected some fine specimens over the years, though the largest number of netsuke by the artist is undoubtably in the collection of Dr Jay Hopkins, Lynchburg Virginia.
When I began my apprenticeship in netsuke-art, Dr Joe Kurstin housed a particularly fine example by an anonymous hand within his 'Figure of 8 carver' tray - the 'man faced Kirin' from the Betty Jahss' collection, which sold in December 2022 for a world record (auction) value; however, by that time the market had altered in thought and the man faced Kirin had attracted a Sanko attribution.
I believe the Figure of 8 carver and Sanko are different, separated by time and carving mannerisms. It should be recognised by all that these opinions are not definitive, they should evolve as new information becomes available. What is most important to always recall is that Mr or Mrs unsigned/ anonymous are the greatest artists of them all.
9.2cm High.
Provenance:
Ex: Dorothy Ann Stevens collection. Number 312.
Glendinings 9th February 1955. Lot 5.
Ex: Dr Hermann Gunther collection. 12th June 1944. Lot 25.
