Two Narrative Figure Netsuke

EDO PERIOD (EARLY 19TH CENTURY)

Details
Two Narrative Figure Netsuke
Edo Period (Early 19th Century)
Both carved in marubori and well patinated by age, the first of Rochishin, the "Flower Priest", here depicted holding a massive club with which he has just knocked off the head of one of the pair of guardian figures at the gate, he sits upon the head in triumph; the second shows Kanshin crawling between the legs of a ruffian
1¾in. (4.5cm.) and 1¾in. (4.4cm.) respectively (2)

Lot Essay

The first is a rare subject. Rochishin, the "Flower Priest", formed a robber band and sacked the monastery from which he had been expelled for some misdemeanour.

Kanshin was the son of a prince of Han. One day, in the market place, a ruffian challenged him and ordered him to crawl between his legs. Consenting to the humiliation rather than demean himself by fighting a man of low birth, he did so. Kanshin later became a famous general and a Prince of Tsi, but was finally beheaded by the Empress Lu. He is one of the three heroes of the Han dynasty.

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