Lot Essay
Awataguchi is recorded as a follower of Miwa I who produced few netsuke. Other examples of his work are illustrated in Neil K. Davey, Netsuke, M.T. Hindson Collection cat. no. 282, p. 100 which notes additional examples listed in V. F. Weber, Koji Hoten, pl. 50, and in W. L. Behrens Collection, no. 464, ill. pl. XI.He is not listed in the Sokenkisho. For another example from the Bushell Collection see Christie's London, Bushell Collection, Part I, lot 115