An early wood group of a Sage & Karako.
Everyone, who has experienced the presence of that teasing elder will identify what is occurring in this composition. A smiling sage is seated with a Karako adjacent. The hand of the sage houses something the Karako desires above all else in that moment. However, no matter how much the Karako tries or begs, they cannot gain access to the contents of the elder's hand.
This age old behaviour I experienced from my father, uncles, even a few sturdy aunts on occasion. The composition is a nostalgic one. The deep thinkers amongst us will explain that the composition is far deeper than my 'trip down memory lane' - that the age differential on display has a reasoning and that instead of a concealed sweet-treat being contained within the hand of the elder, it is rather wisdom that is being denied and the extrapolated meaning being that the young are too impatient to obtain it.
What also appeals to me is the likely creator or at least the school that he founded. For attribution details please see link
4.7cm
