Details
Three wood netsuke
Of a blind masseur trying to lift the strength stone, signed Gyokkei, late 18th century; Daruma, seated in meditation, signed Shumin, late 18th century; and a shishimai dancer wearing a fox mask, his karashishi mask resting on his shoulders, signed Ryomin, 19th century
1 3/8in. (3.4cm.), 1 3/8in. (3.6cm.) and 1½in. (3.8cm.) high (3)
Of a blind masseur trying to lift the strength stone, signed Gyokkei, late 18th century; Daruma, seated in meditation, signed Shumin, late 18th century; and a shishimai dancer wearing a fox mask, his karashishi mask resting on his shoulders, signed Ryomin, 19th century
1 3/8in. (3.4cm.), 1 3/8in. (3.6cm.) and 1½in. (3.8cm.) high (3)
Literature
For a similar example to the first netsuke, see, Davey, N.K. and Tripp, S.G. The Garrett Collection (1993), p. 226, pl. 244. and for the drawing of a very similar piece also by Gyokkei, see Lazarnick, G. Netsuke and Inro Artists, and how to read their signatures, (Reed Publishers, Honolulu, 1982), p.417.