TWO WOOD NETSUKE

EDO PERIOD (19TH CENTURY)

Details

TWO WOOD NETSUKE
Edo Period (19th Century)
A wood netsuke of the rakan Handaka Sonja meditating on the back of a dragon, signed Shusen to, early 19th Century, and another of a priest throwing dried beans to chase the devils out of the house on Setsubun, signed Masachika, 19th Century
1.5in.(3.6cm ) and 1in.(4cm) high respectively (2)

Lot Essay

Handaka Sonja is the Arhat Panthaka who has great magical powers. He is able to fly in the sky and to increase and reduce the size of his body. Once Handaka Sonja was ordered to subjugate and convert Apahala, the Dragon King. This is the reason that he is often depicted with a dragon.

The Setsubun bean-throwing ceremony, mame-maki, takes place on February 3rd, when the head of the household scatters holly beans (which feel red-hot to lurking demons ) and shouts fuku wa uchi, oni wa soto [good fortune in, demons out].

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